Reverend J. Larry Vallery's Obituary
Reverend J. Larry Vallery, 88, of Ames, passed away Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames. Funeral services for Larry Vallery will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at Ames First United Methodist Church, 516 Kellogg Avenue, in Ames. Visitation for Larry Vallery will be held from 4:00 - 6:00 PM on Friday, April 24, 2026, at Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care, 414 Lincoln Way, in Ames. John Larry Vallery was born on April 23, 1937, to Jack and Gladys (Winther) Vallery in Omaha, Nebraska. He was raised and educated in Plattsmouth, Nebraska where he attended the one-room 8 Mile Grove schoolhouse and graduated with the Plattsmouth High School Class of 1954. Larry was united in marriage to Rita Diane Ramge on June 21, 1959 at the Liberty EUB church near Plattsmouth, Nebraska. The family raised 4 children: Diane, Deborah, David and Denise. The couple were married nearly 60 years, Rita passed away on February 12, 2019. While growing up, Larry farmed alongside his family, and continued for a few years following graduation. He later worked as a television and radio repairman, using skills he continued to share throughout his life. He later received the call to ministry, and graduated from Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City in 1971. During his undergraduate years at Hastings College, he served 1 year at Rosedale United Methodist Church and also served at a Presbyterian church in Doniphan, Nebraska, from 1962 -1968. In 1968, the young family relocated to Kansas City for Larry to attend Seminary. During that time, he served a number of small rural churches. From 1971 - 1974, the family made northeast Iowa their home, while Larry served churches in Adaville and Merrill, Iowa. In 1974, the family moved to Mason City, where Larry served as pastor at First United Methodist Church, before moving to Britt to serve at Britt United Methodist church from 1980 - 1989. From 1989 - 1996, Larry served a church in Greenfield, Iowa, and then from 1996 - 1999 in Charles City before taking partial retirement. He and Rita retired to Ames, where he served in a Pastoral Visitation role until retiring in earnest in 2007. Larry and the family enjoyed summer fishing trips at Carl's Resort at Nest Lake in Minnesota. He was an avid photographer and also loved tinkering and fixing electronics at home, as well as a part of UMCOR for many years in Louisiana, which he attended annually through 2020.He was also a member of the Ames Kiwanis Club, Action Club and was instrumental in establishing Food at First in Ames. Larry will be lovingly remembered as a true servant of God, a mentor and colleague to his peers, and as an active member in the lives of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Larry will be missed by his children: Diane (Devon) Hawbaker of Dallas Center; Deborah (Deric) Thomas of Manly; David (Dawn) Vallery of Hampton; Denise (Todd) Sterling of Lee's Summit, MO; fourteen grandchildren: Matthew (Stephanie) Hansen, Stephen Thomas, Abby Jewett, Sarah Boyles, Sterling Vallery, Kelsey (Nathanel) Sayre, Vallery (Chad Dahl) Thomas, Sasha Hawbaker Christian Vallery, Bailey (Alan) Harms, Brenna (Joshua) Doolittle, Tate Sterling, Nickoli Hawbaker, and Scarlett Sterling; twenty great-grandchildren: Jaydn Jewett, Naomi Boyles, Natalie Boyles, Noah Hansen, Landen Hansen, Josie Boyles, Emily Jannsen, Espen Sayre, Ellis Sayre, Jackson Jannsen, Jason Jewett, Judy Jewett, Jonathan Baldwin, Bentley Dahl, Everson Sayre, Adoniah Hansen, Ephraim Sayre, Peter Baldwin, Asael Hansen, and Ellowyn Sayre; brother Steven (Peggy) Vallery of Plattsmouth, NE; sister-in-law Sharon Smith of Plattsmouth, NE and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife of almost 60 years, Rita; granddaughter Katelyn Hawbaker; great-grandson Emory Sayre; his parents Jack and Gladys Vallery; brothers Gene and William (Bill) Vallery; sister-in-law Linda Lewis; and brothers-in-law Bud Lewis and Roy Smith. In lieu of flowers and other customary remembrances, Larry's family suggests that memorial contributions may be left in his memory to Food at First, UMCOR, or Ames United Methodist Church, and sent to their attention at Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care, 414 Lincoln Way, in Ames, Iowa, 50010.
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