Gary Alvord

Gary Alvord, 77, died Friday, July 25, 2025, at StoryPoint in Urbandale. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, August 6 at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel at Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines. Gary's family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.(The service will be live streamed: https://wdm.lutheranchurchofhope.org/funeral-livestream/) A Celebration of Life will take place at Echo Valley Country Club in Norwalk starting at 4:00 p.m.

Gary was born September 27, 1947, in Des Moines to Harry and Thelma (Bennett) Alvord. His family moved frequently during his childhood but eventually settled back in Des Moines where he graduated from East High School. Gary attended Grand View College before transferring to the University of Iowa where he began dating the love of his life, Pam. The two graduated from the University of Iowa in 1969 and were married in September of that year. The newlyweds enjoyed a brief honeymoon and returned home to find Gary's draft notice. Despite the raging Vietnam war, Gary was fortunate to be stationed for the next three years at Fort Riley, Kansas, becoming proficient in the world of finance. While grateful to leave the service armed with skills for an amazing career, they were most excited about leaving with the first of their two daughters.

Following his service, the young family returned to Des Moines in 1973 and welcomed their second daughter in 1975. Gary embarked on a 27-year career with Ruan Transportation, starting as a clerk and finishing as the company's President & COO in 2000. Soon after, Gary founded 3PL, a transportation logistics business. The company started from a makeshift office in the Alvord basement with a laptop, card tables, a flip chart, and four employees. 3PL became Worldwide Logistics - now located in Urbandale. Gary was so proud to watch the company grow from its humble beginnings to the company it is now with over 300 employees. After retirement in 2008, Gary remained on various boards as the couple split their time between Des Moines and their beloved Anna Maria Island, moving there permanently in 2016. Gary and Pam returned to Des Moines in 2023 as Gary's health declined.

A quiet, humble leader, he was always asked to serve as an officer in national trucking organizations. But he was most proud of his involvement in organizations closer to his heart and home. He served as President of Build Lincoln Higher Booster Club, East High Alumni Association, and Key Royale Golf Club. When Pam took leadership of Bidwell Riverside Christmas Sharing, he jumped right in and became an integral part of their annual event.

Gary loved his family fiercely. That love fueled his work ethic and commitment to ensuring his family's security and creating opportunities for fun and adventure - leading to lifelong memories that are often fondly discussed. Gary adored Pam with every ounce of his being. As a couple, the two established a firm foundation for Jen and Andi to build from with their own families. Gary relished his role as Grandpa. He never tired of making sandcastles, going up and down the stairs to nowhere at the beach, and always walking the kids home via the 'secret passageway' for some quality lizard hunting. He also never missed an opportunity to dazzle the kids with his rare skill of tying a knot in a cherry stem with his tongue. Gary was also competitive to the core - turning even Easter egg hunts into a form of extreme sports.

Fitness was a lifelong pursuit for Gary. At a young age, he would tag along with his older brother, David, to the local gym, sparking his love of weightlifting and running. Ever the competitor, Gary secretly enjoyed whenever he could lift more than his sons-in-law (which was quite often). In his 40s, Gary committed to doing the same number of pull-ups as his age without stopping each year on his birthday. He succeeded nearly every birthday following. Even on the days he didn't want to run or lift weights, he would do abbreviated workouts and refer to them as 'attendance' days - noting that 'showing up' was enough. Golfing with friends and family was another favorite activity.

Gary and his family have always framed their life with gratitude and thank God for the amazing journey they've had. The family would like to express thanks for the loving care he received during his time at StoryPoint. They treated him with such kindness and dignity during this dreaded disease.

He is survived by wife, Pam; children: Jen (Patrick) Corkrean of Des Moines, Andi (Jamie) Laine of Norwalk; grandchildren: Kate and Erin Corkrean, Will, Max, and Lily Laine; brother, Mark Alvord of Ankeny. Gary was preceded in death by his parents and older brother, David.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the East High School Alumni Foundation or Lutheran Church of Hope.

Online condolences are welcome at www.IlesCares.com [ilescares.com].

ARRANGEMENTS BY ILES DUNN'S CHAPEL

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