Obituary of Larry D. DeCook

   Larry D. DeCook, the son of Dave and Nelle (Vos) DeCook, was born November 6, 1938 in Pella, Iowa.  He graduated from Sigourney High School. He attended the University of Iowa and received his Doctor of Optometry from Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon.

   On November 25, 1960, Larry was united in marriage to Sharon L. Stevens in Des Moines, Iowa.  Together they moved to Forest Grove, OR for Larry to start Optometry School at Pacific University.  After graduation, they made their home in Newton.  In 1970, Larry and Shari opened their private practice and Larry continued until he retired in 2008.

   Larry loved sharing time with family and friends.  He enjoyed golf, the Iowa Hawkeyes, woodworking and time on the patio.  He had a passion to give back to his profession and served on several mission trips to El Salvador.  He was a member of First Presbyterian Church and First United Methodist Church; was Past President of the Iowa Optometric Association (IOA) and the American Optometric Association (AOA).   Larry served on the Newton Park Board, Newton City Council, Skiff Medical Center Board and other local service organizations.  Larry also served his profession on many committees for the IOA and AOA.

   Larry died on November 4, 2023, at Park Centre Health Care in Newton.  He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 sisters Shirley Koob and Marilyn Showman and a brother Larry DeCook in infancy.  Those left to honor his memory include his wife Sharon DeCook of Newton, sons and daughters-in-law David and Cathleen DeCook of Sunrise Beach, MO, Kent and Monica DeCook of Lakeville, MN, grandchildren Thomas and Trish DeCook of Omaha, NE, Ben and Kristin DeCook of Newton, IA, Kelsea DeCook and Kaylea Simas of Sunrise Beach, MO, Nick DeCook of Minneapolis, MN, Megan DeCook of Minneapolis, MN, Michael DeCook of Ames, IA, Steven DeCook of St. Paul, MN, great-grandchildren Nora DeCook, Benton DeCook, Abby DeCook, Dylan DeCook and many extended relatives and friends.

   A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Newton.  A visitation with the family present will be held from 12:00 p.m. until service time.  Memorials to Wesley Life Hospice or any local charity are preferred.  Service arrangements are being conducted by Pence-Reese Funeral Home in Newton, Iowa.