Larry R. Gallup

Larry R. Gallup, 71, of Onawa, Iowa passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 7, 2012 with his family by his side, after a courageous battle with cancer. A memorial service will be held 10:30 A.M. Friday, April 13, 2012 at the United Methodist Church in Decatur, NE. A private family burial will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery in Decatur. Military honors will be provided by the U.S. Air Force and American Legion Roger Crum Post #215 Decatur, NE. Arrangements are under the direction of Rush Family Care Service in Onawa. Larry was born February 28, 1941 in Lyons, NE, son of Raymond and Mary (Kessinger) Gallup. His family later moved to Decatur where he spent his happy childhood. Upon graduation from Decatur High School in 1958, Larry attended Norfolk Junior College for two years before joining the United States Air Force where he was an aircraft mechanic working on fighter jets. In 1964, Larry was stationed at Homestead Air Force Base in Florida, where he met his wife, Joyce Fass. They were married June 26, 1965 in Miami, FL. That same year Larry joined the City of Miami Police Department. He had quite an exciting career doing various kinds of police work. He and Joyce had two daughters and one son in Miami. He enjoyed fishing with his father-in-law and friends in the Florida Keys. In 1974 the family moved back to Larry's home in Decatur, where he farmed for four years. He worked at IBP, then took the position of Police Chief of Decatur. During this time, he and Joyce had another daughter and son. In 1985, Larry joined the U.S. Postal Service in Sioux City, IA where he worked until his retirement in 2004. Larry and Joyce moved from Decatur to Onawa in 2000 where he enjoyed raising cows and chickens on their acreage. They loved traveling to different places every year, seeing much of the country. He was a devoted Husker fan and never missed a game. Larry served on the Veterans Board of Affairs in Onawa and worked part-time on the Decatur Bridge until his illness. Larry was a wonderful family man and loved spending time out on Blue Lake, camping and fishing with his kids and grandkids. Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Joyce Gallup of Onawa; his five children, Cyndi Gallup of Colorado Springs, CO, Jennifer (Danny) Huffman of Onawa, Greg (Staci) Gallup of Denison, IA, Melanie (Jeff) Black of Onawa; and Brian Gallup of Onawa; nine grandchildren, Kevin, Andrew, and Mitch Huffman of Onawa, Bradley Gallup of Waterloo, IA, Nathan, Cole, and Morgan of Denison, IA, and Emma and Kaitlyn Black of Onawa; his mother, Mary Chase of Decatur, NE; two sisters, Bonnie (Emmett) Hennig and Linda (Gary) Warren of Decatur, NE; and many other beloved relatives. He was preceded in death by his father, Raymond Gallup; step-father, Ralph Chase; and parents-in-law, Walt and Charlotte Fass. Larry's family wishes to express their gratitude for all acts of kindness shown to them in their time of sorrow and invites you to join them for a luncheon at the Decatur City Hall following church services.