Larry Wayne Lazenby
Born: June 14th, 1933
Died: September 28th, 2017
Obituary
Larry Wayne Lazenby, died September 28, 2017 at Hospice House in Burlington following a short battle with glioblastoma. Larry was born to Loren and Lois Lazenby on June 14, 1933, in Stockport, IA. Growing up in Birmingham, IA, Larry was an avid outdoorsman, hunting and fishing whenever he could, an athlete, playing many sports, excelling in basketball and baseball. Larry, a lefty nicknamed Skifoot, was part of a High School state basketball team, setting a High School record that still remains. After High School Larry attended Parsons College playing basketball then was drafted by the Army and served in Germany during the Korean Conflict. Larry returned to Burlington two years later, graduating from SCC, whom he also played basketball for. He then attended Iowa Wesleyan College as an Accounting major. Following college, Larry worked as an inspector on Line 1 at IAAP for 20 years and then 20+ years with the Burlington School System as a painter. Larry also had his own business painting and providing home improvement services. He served for over 15 years as head coach of BCHS girls' tennis team.
On March 9, 1958, Larry married Nancy Norine Jones at the First Presbyterian Church in Burlington. Larry and Nancy were blessed with six children who followed in his athletic footsteps, all attending college on athletic/academic scholarships. Larry nurtured his love of teamwork and sports by playing semi-professional baseball, volunteer coaching at the YMCA, junior league bowling, Burlington youth sports and after school programs. Larry was an active member of the community as a 50 year member of the First Presbyterian Church. He also was a 50 year member of the Des Moines #1 Masonic Lodge. Larry was active in American Legion and past member of Moose, Eagles and “square-a-naders” square dance club.
Larry shared a deep faith in God with his family and friends, serving within his church as a Deacon, Trustee, Elder, Sunday school teacher and Skipper of the Explorer Mainers. His family fondly remembers weekly Sunday school and services, many summers of family camp and church social events all year long. Larry loved to fish and hunt, spending several years as a commercial fisherman and trapper. He spent summers fishing with his family at the Burlington Y-Lake and taking trips to Separation Lake in Canada.
As his family expanded, Larry was a committed grandfather, loved and remembered by all of his grandchildren for his playful sense of humor, hands on play, quirky animal imitations and dedication to their spiritual growth and sense of family. His children still remember his favorite response to their excuses, “Can’t can’t do anything”. Larry modeled what he believed in, for example, he completed a demanding 3 day certification process for United Sates Tennis Professional Association after the age of 70. He was one of the oldest in the nation to get certified as a teaching pro. On August 25th, 2017 Larry was awarded the prestigious Liberty Medal in recognition of his excellent contributions in support of the ideas of liberty and freedom through his efforts, actions and deeds. World renowned artist, Don F. Wiegand, traveled to Burlington to create a lifecast of the embraced hands of Larry and Nancy, using the same cast bucket he used to cast the hands of George and Barbara Bush, and to personally deliver the award to Larry. The Liberty Medal was created by Don through the Statue of Liberty Club for the The Wiegand Foundation, Inc.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, his sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Melvin Skaggs, sister-in-law, Jane Ann Davis, three grandchildren and one great grandchild. Larry is survived by his loving wife, four sons, two daughters, seventeen grandchildren, six great grandchildren, several cousins, nieces and nephews: Dr. Lorry and Kathy Lazenby, Joplin, Mo., Dr. David and Carol Lazenby, Chesterfield, Mo, Daniel and Teresa Lazenby, Little Rock, AR, Timothy and Tammy Lazenby, Yale, IA, Elizabeth and Kevin Eibes, Burlington, IA and Anna and William Hartford, Yorkville, IL.
Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh~Thielen Crematory.
Visitation will be from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM Friday, October 13, 2017 at First Presbyterian Church. Masonic Rites provided by the Des Moines #1 Masonic Lodge will conclude the visitation.
The memorial service for Mr. Lazenby will be 10:30 AM Saturday, October 14, 2017, at First Presbyterian Church with Reverend Debra L. Kinney officiating. Full military honors will be rendered by the Burlington Area Veterans Honor Guard following the service. A time of food and fellowship will be held at First Presbyterian Church following the service. Burial will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for the First Presbyterian Church.
Larry’s legacy of faith, hard work, commitment, honesty and love attributed him many dear friends from his church, neighborhood, YMCA and from his childhood in Birmingham. He was a loving, caring, considerate husband and father who always put his family first. He blessed the lives of all those he touched and we will cherish his memory and miss him so very much.
Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.