Lawrence 'Jug' Younger, Jr. passed away peacefully on February 3, 2026 in Hays, Kansas surrounded by family.
Many words describe Lawrence 'Jug' Younger, Jr. Amongst those are leader, police officer, comedian, fisherman, presidential chauffeur, sports enthusiast, brother, dishwasher, uncle, friend, garbage disposal, onion chopper, raw-hamburger maker, vacuum king, and channel surfer. However, his favorite titles included that of husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather.
He was born at over eleven pounds to Lawrence Younger Sr. and Anna (Pfannenstiel) Younger on July 17, 1938 in Hays. Upon arrival, he was greeted by three eager and doting older sisters, Rosie, Lesta, and Florence. Eventually a younger sister, Dorothy, joined the family. His sisters were more than a little disappointed by his rather large size as they expected a baby and were given a toddler. Growing up, Jug loved fishing at Big Creek and shooting his BB gun.
His life really got interesting his freshman year of high school when, at age 14, he met his future wife and partner, Louise Walburn. On May 19, 1957, Jug and Louise were married in Great Bend. Together they had five children and acted as surrogate parents to many others throughout the years.
Professionally, Jug worked his way through the ranks of the Hays Police Department and after 24 years became Chief of Police in 1982. He remained police chief for 20 years, the longest of any Hays police chief, and a record he still holds today.
Jug will be remembered by those who loved him as someone who was a family man through and through. During his retirement years he spent time doing countless projects in and around the house with Louise as well as entertaining and enjoying his children, their spouses, and his 11 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.
Jug is survived by his wife of almost 69 years, Louise Younger of Hays, his children Cindy Younger of Wichita, Dave Younger (Kelly) of Oakley, Chris Hobbs (Greg) of Hays, Darryl Younger of Hays, and Doug Younger (Kelly) of Auburn, one sister Florence Wear of Hays, his grandchildren Keaton Younger (Katie), Kamri Younger, Karson Younger, KT Younger, Deacon Younger (Kelsey), Kirby Younger, Macy Younger (Robert), Dustin Hobbs (Megan), Brooke Keltner (Stu), Summer Demel (Dylan), and Austin Sloyer (Lauren), his great grandchildren Taylor Garner (Derrik), Tyson, Brooklyn, Cam, Landry, Owen, and Beau Younger, Halle, Shae and Miles Keltner, Lindsay and Landyn Demel, Hudson Sloyer, Benjamin, Oliver, and Louis Delgado, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and three sisters, Rosie Koirth, Celeste Pfannenstiel, and Dorothy Mermis.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. Susan Murithi, Pastor Chad Pritchett, and the Hays Police Department Honor Guard officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date in Mt. Allen Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Friday at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home and from 10:00 am until service time on Saturday at the church. Memorials are suggested to the Heartland Community Foundation for the Hays Police Department Endowment Fund. Condolences and memories of Jug may be left for his family at www.haysmemorial.com