James Larry Fugate

James Larry Fugate, 83, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, November 21, 2024. Larry was born on November 28, 1940, in Wichita, Kansas to Jim Fugate and Helen (Speck) Fugate. Larry began developing what his family and friends would come to know him best for, his focused, relentless work ethic, at age 6 when he took on a paper route and never stopped working. In 1974, Larry quit his job as a product buyer with Pizza Hut corporation, took out an SBA loan, and became a Pizza Hut franchisee with his first two restaurants in Independence and Coffeyville, Kansas. Larry’s business ventures also included franchising Taco Bell restaurants and Blockbuster Video stores, among several others. Larry recognized that his success as a business owner was not solely attributable to his own efforts and was quick to acknowledge the many blessings that he had been given. Adhering to his favorite motto, “You cannot out give God,” Larry and his company, Fugate Enterprises, are known throughout the Wichita area for their philanthropic giving to organizations including Newman University, Bishop Carroll Catholic High School, St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, Catholic Charities, the Guadalupe Clinic, the Wichita Children’s Home, the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Central Kansas, and many others. For his success in business and his philanthropic pursuits, Larry was given an honorary doctorate from Newman University in 2017, named the 2014 Outstanding Philanthropist by the Wichita Business Journal, made a Hall of Fame member of International Pizza Hut Franchise Holders Association in 1996, and made an inaugural member of the Wichita West High School Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame in 2024. Larry is survived by his wife of 28 years, Dana; his sons, Tad Fugate of Rose Hill, Todd (Kathy) Fugate of Overland Park, Ryan (Lindsey) Wasinger, Brett (Kristen) Wasinger, and Colin Wasinger all of Wichita; his grandchildren, Zachary (Brooke) Fugate, Nikita (Drew) Waldron, Bianca (Shane) Miller, Lilyahna Fugate, Garrett (Madison) Fugate, Sarah (Derek) Rohleder, Grace Fugate, Greyson Wasinger, Crew Wasinger, Penelope Wasinger, Oliver Wasinger, Norah Wasinger, Jude Wasinger, and Josephine Wasinger; his great-grandchildren, Blakely, William, and Lucy Waldron; Eleanor and Callie Fugate; Augustine Miller; Riggs Fugate; his sister, Linda (Kavin) Kreuzberg; and his brother, Mike Fugate. He is preceded in death by his parents and his beloved grandson, Austin Riggs Fugate. Rosary will be Sunday, December 1, 2024 at 7:00 pm and a Mass of Christian Burial will be on Monday, December 2, 2024, at 10:30 am, both at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 3642 N. Ridge Rd., Wichita, KS 67205. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Catherine of Siena New Church Fund, 3642 N. Ridge Rd., Wichita, KS 67205. Services in care of Downing & Lahey West Mortuary.