Larry G. Vande Voort, 71, of Sully, passed away Monday, Apr. 28, 2014, at the Comfort House of Pella. Funeral services were held May 1 at Sully Christian Reformed Church. Burial was in Sully Cemetery.
Larry Gene Vande Voort was born Nov. 13, l942, to Everett and Harriet (Dieleman) Vande Voort in Newton. He was the youngest of six children. Larry graduated from Sully Christian School and Lynnville-Sully High School. He was a graduate of the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy. Larry served two years in the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division. Although jumping out of airplanes was not something he wanted to do for the rest of his life, flying airplanes was his desire. He began taking flying lessons after his discharge from the service. He soon got his pilot’s license and was able to take Carolyn on “flying dates.” He worked for the Jasper County Road Maintenance Department for several years and then worked 28 years for the City of Sully as Public Works Director and Police Chief. He also served as a Jasper County Special Deputy. After retiring from the city, Larry joined the staff working along side his son at Classic Aviation as a Certified Flight Instructor. He loved instructing and was privileged to fly as co-pilot in a Citation and Beechjet. One of the highlights in his aviation career was being chosen to fly the Flag to Kitty Hawk with his son, Shane, on the 100th anniversary of the Wright Brothers’ first flight.
On Apr. 5, 2013, Larry suffered a stroke that paralyzed his left side. After a three-month hospital stay and much therapy, Larry was able to return to his job at the airport. His first “job” each morning was getting his grandson David off to school. On Mar. 11, 2014, Larry was diagnosed with several malignant brain tumors. He courageously fought this battle, undergoing brain surgery and one round of chemo treatments. Larry left his earthly home on Apr. 28.
Larry was a faithful member of Sully Christian Reformed Church where he had served as deacon and Sunday School teacher. He also served on the Sully Christian School Board. Larry was an EMT and served many years on the Sully Volunteer Fire Department
Larry’s hobbies included flying, motorcycling, taking walks, going to garage sales, and reading, especially books written by John MacArthur. A favorite pastime was spending time with his precious grandchildren.
On Nov. 22, 1967, Larry was united in marriage to Carolyn Van Wyk. She survives him along with his three children: Shawn (Tammy) Vande Voort of Sully, Nicole (Duane) Olivier of Sully, and Shane (Megan) Vande Voort of Pella; four grandchildren: David and Danica Olivier and Sullivan and Meyer Vande Voort; one brother, Ron of Pella; three sisters: Chris (Gerrit) Steenhoek, Lois Harthoorn, and Lucille Vos, all of Pella; brothers-in-law and sisters-in law: Gertrude Wehrle of Grinnell, Eldred and Grace Van Gorp of Newton, Ron and June Kramer of Pella, Arvin and Anna Mae Van Wyk of Pella, Carl and Joyce De Goey of Newton, Harris and Darlene Vos of Newton, Verlan and Helen Brand of Grinnell, and Ed and Judy Van Kooten of Sully; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his mother-in-law and father-in-law; one sister, Louise; four brothers-in-law, Walter Van Wyk, Melvin Harthoorn, Ron Vos, and Raymond Wehrle; and two sisters-in-law, Jan Vande Voort and Harriet Van Wyk.