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Stokes, Laughryn 'Larry'
Laughryn "Larry" Stokes, 86, longtime resident and businessman of Coralville, died Dec. 31, 2013. A Celebration of Larry's Life for family and friends will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 4, at the Coralville American Legion.
In lieu of flowers or other gifts, please send donations to the caring and compassionate souls at Iowa City Hospice.
Online condolences may be sent for his family through the Web at www.gayandciha.com.
Larry was born Jan. 12, 1927, in Alsen, N.Y., the son of Laughryn and Sarah (Hood) Stokes. He grew up in the Catskill Mountains of New York, where he attended schools. He joined the Navy at the age of 16 after graduating early from high school. He served during World War II, and this is where he met his future wife, Rosalind Jean Kehrer, in the ship yards in Portland, Ore. The couple were married in 1946 here in Iowa City. He worked for a couple of years for Bob Carvutto's heating and air conditioning business before buying it and establishing Ace Heating and Air Conditioning in 1950. Larry owned and operated his business until 1996 when he sold it to his son, Tom, who continues to carry on his dad's service to many families of this area, with pride!
Larry was a member of the Coralville American Legion, Masons, Shriners, bowling leagues over the years, enjoyed playing cards, hunting, fishing and chasing his golf ball in his cart over the courses of this area!
His family includes his children, Tom and his wife, Maureen Stokes of Iowa City, and Peggy and her husband, Richard Saunders of Iowa City; granddaughters, Trisha Stokes and Lori Steffens (Chad); stepgrandchildren, Eric Douglas, Lisa Douglas, Sean Saunders (Heather) and Kevin Saunders (fiancé Santana); great-grandchildren, Dylon, Malie, Lily and Lucy; stepgreat-grandchildren, Aidan, Jackson and Nora; and Larry's sister, Helen Scott of Athens, N.Y.
He was preceded in death by his parents; in-laws; his wife, Jean; and two sisters.
Larry's family would like to thank Dr. Greg T. Bozek and all the staff at his medical office for their excellent care of their father, and for their friendship and trust over the many years shared between them and their father!
Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Larry's family.
Published Jan. 2, 2014 in The Gazette
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