Larry Dean Ray
October 10, 1944 - June 20, 2024

Larry Dean Ray, 79, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa passed away on Thursday, June 20, 2024, at Lantern Park Nursing & Rehab Center in Coralville, Iowa.  Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 PM on Thursday, July 11th, at the Cedar Memorial Chapel Stateroom.  Memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, July 12th, at the Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories.  Burial to follow at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery with military honors.  

Larry Dean Ray was born on October 10th, 1944, at John McDonald Hospital, in Monticello, Iowa.  He was the son of Robert and Nellie (Nagle) Ray. He graduated from Monticello Community Schools in 1963.  Larry served proudly in the United States Army for three years, with two tours in Germany.  He attended Wartburg College, and then finished his last year at Mt. Mercy College where he achieved his business degree.  Larry worked two years at the Cedar Rapids Gazette as an accountant and decided "behind the desk work" wasn't for him.

Larry was an honest man who liked doing the right thing to help other people, and so he became a Cedar Rapids Police Officer and Detective.  Larry proudly served until his retirement in 2000. Larry and his daughter were able to make the Honor Flight in 2023, and he was a proud member of the American Legion for 50 years. Larry loved to travel, visiting all 50 states and 23 different countries. His love of traveling led him to work for Hampton Travel Planner.  He was a proud Elvis, Hawkeye, and John Wayne fan and even more proud of his Irish heritage.  He enjoyed meeting friends for coffee, and no one was a stranger to him.  Larry always had his lineup of jokes to share with anyone he met.  Those who knew Larry, knew his two children and four grandchildren were his pride and joy!  

He is survived by his children, Shawn (Alison) Ray and Heather (Guy) Simons; one brother, John (Roxy) Ray; and four grandchildren, Katie, Cole, Taylor, and Zoey. Larry was a wonderful and caring father, grandfather, brother, and friend who will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers; Jerry and Ron Ray; and a sister, Verda Schickles.