Lawrence England

LARRY ENGLAND

Cedar Rapids

Larry's England's story on earth has now ended and a new journey into eternal life has begun. Larry passed away Aug. 30, 2014, after a long fight with several chronic illnesses.

Lawrence "Cap" Everett England was born Jan. 19, 1925, in Lewistown, Ill., to James England and Phyllis (Cozine) England. He was reared by his grand-parents, the Cozines and Englands, good Christian people. He later moved to Cedar Rapids with his mother, Phyllis, met Elaine, his future wife, in elementary school, and later graduated from Franklin Senior High School in 1943. He did well academically, played the trombone, and was on the debate team.

After graduation, he worked for Hyster Corporation in Peoria, Ill., as a mechanic and was later promoted into the office from the factory floor. He married Elaine Louise Zarub, his former childhood friend, in May 1953, and they built their own home on Daniels Street in Cedar Rapids, after living in Peoria for a brief period. He served as the general contractor for their new home and did much of the interior work himself.

Larry then attended barber college and was a barber/stylist for over 40 years in Cedar Rapids, owning Larry's Barber Shop on Mount Vernon Road and later co-owning Continental Hairstyling across from Mercy Hospital. He chose barbering as a career to follow in the footsteps of his Uncle Marc.

Being a barber, he truly knew what was happening in Cedar Rapids at all times. He had many acquaintances, as he served as the barber for company executives as well as to workers at the local meatpacking plant.

His hobbies included investing in the stock market (his true passion), home repair, lawn work, boating and waterskiing, bike riding, swimming, fishing and at one time, bird hunting, and woodworking. He bowled on a league for several years and took home trophies. He enjoyed cars and enjoyed shopping for them and bought a new one now and again. He was a true engineer and could figure a solution to most any home repair problem.

He was enormously patient and kind to those he loved and believed there was no better place to live than Cedar Rapids, Iowa, although he did enjoy a few winters in Mesa, Ariz., after retirement. He lived his last two years at Sterling Pointe Senior Living in Princeton, Minn., to be near his daughter. The staff at Sterling Pointe thought he was a great guy, and enjoyed and loved him greatly.

Larry could tell a wonderful story, recite a great joke and grill a mean steak. He was an exceptional father and husband, both pursuits he seemed to thoroughly enjoy. He taught his children to be independent and how to earn good money through getting an advanced education, an opportunity he never had. He was strong-willed but quiet and serious. He believed in hard work and the value of a dollar.

Larry was a member of First Christian Church in Cedar Rapids for over 60 years and served as deacon for over three decades. He also spent countless hours assisting other elderly family members and neighbors in the Cedar Rapids area and cut hair once monthly at the Linn County Home for many years. He enjoyed the big band music of the World War II era, was a great ballroom dancer in middle age, and was an exceptional dresser. He really enjoyed reading the newspaper and watching the nightly news to keep up on current events.

His favorite color was blue and he loved Snickers bars, angel food cake and Russell Stover chocolate candy. He, however, did not like coconut. A good car ride and an ice cream cone served him well in his last years.

He is survived by his wife, Elaine England; his son, Stephen Lawrence England; his daughter-in-law, Peggy England; his daughter, Ellen Claire England; his grandsons, Stephen England and Peter England; a brother, Jerry Dawson; and nephew and niece, Russ and Anne Waters.