- Date Of Birth: June 29, 1939
- Date Of Death: September 27, 2021
- State: Iowa
Larry J. Whitaker, 82, passed away Monday evening, September 27, 2021. Larry was born at home on the farm near Glidden, Iowa to Bishop and Emma (Janssen) Whitaker. He graduated from Glidden High School and shortly thereafter joined the US Air Force. After serving in San Antonio, he was dispatched to the Tachikawa USAF base in Japan where he served as a medic. After honorable discharge from the Air Force he attended IBM computer school to become a computer programmer. He was a programmer at Dial Finance and later went to Iowa Power and Light Company where he became a department manager. He finished his career at Clow Valve Company as an inside sales manager. In his spare time he loved to golf, play cards, travel and spend time with his family.
Larry is survived by his wife, Mavis (Meltesen) Whitaker and his three children, son, Tyler Whitaker and his wife, (Jane) and grandsons Mitch & Ryan, son, Trent Whitaker and daughter, Raegan Whitaker. He is also survived by his sister, Joan (Whitaker) Carlson and multiple nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Herman Whitaker and his wife Lois (Tuel) Whitaker; his brother-in-law, Jack Carlson; and nephew, John Carlson.
Larry and Mavis were married in 1962 and rented a uniquely shaped round brick house in Des Moines. It wasn’t long before they realized they would need a larger house to make room for a family so they purchased their first home in Altoona. In 1972 Larry moved his family to a small acreage near Woodward so the kids would have an opportunity to participate in any sport or musical group of their choice. He was also happy the kids would share similar experiences with raising livestock and living in the country.
While the kids were growing up, Larry was very active at St. John’s Lutheran Church where he lead the Luther League youth group activities. He also enjoyed attending the kids’ various sporting, musical and 4-H events.
When Larry started working at Clow in Oskaloosa it was Raegan’s senior year. Knowing how important it was for her to graduate with her friends, he decided to rent an apartment in Oskaloosa and commute back to Woodward on weekends to be with the family. After her graduation, Larry and Mavis found the perfect home just outside of Oskaloosa in the country that had plenty of room for his adult kids to come and visit. Eventually they downsized and relocated to Pleasant Hill.
Larry enjoyed traveling and visiting different places. Whether by car, plane or on a cruise, it was always a memorable trip where he had experiences to share. Two of his most memorable trips were to Paris, where he and Mavis met up with Raegan to celebrate their 40th anniversary, and his Alaskan Cruise with Mavis, Raegan and his in-laws Tom & Pat.
In recent years Larry has had his share of health struggles but has always had a positive attitude and been a fighter. He would have never made it this far if it weren’t for his love and passion for his family, his faith and the great medical staff that have taken care of him. Thank you to Pleasant Hill EMT’s, the medical staff at Methodist Hospital, and the staff at Unity Point Health, who have treated Larry over the past 3 years.
