Larry Derry

Larry Kay Derry was born on October 7, 1934 in Des Moines, Iowa, and passed away in Windsor Heights, Iowa on July 7, 2017 at the age of 82.  He was the son of Arthur Derry and Wanda Hammer, and beloved father, brother, grandfather, and friend. Larry grew up in Lamoni, Iowa with his sisters Donna Bailey and Jody Johnson.  He graduated high school in 1953, and continued his education at Graceland University. He had a variety of careers in his early years such as working for American Can, working with his father at Derry Oil Company in Lamoni for many years, and working as an auditor for the State of Iowa fuel tax division.  On July 1, 1987 he married Constance (Connie) Ferguson in Des Moines, Iowa where they resided with their cherished dogs. Larry and Connie were known as enthusiastic lounge owners in Des Moines, including Connie’s Lounge, Hideaway Lounge, Derry’s Lounge and others. They were avid Blues supporters, and held several Blues Fests in and around Des Moines.  They retired from lounge ownership in 2012, at which time Larry began transporting vehicles across country.  He enjoyed traveling and spending time with family in Iowa and Oklahoma.  He will be remembered for his charismatic personality, enthusiasm for people, and his love for animals.   Larry is survived by his daughters, Lisa Clark and husband Mark, Leanne Condray and husband B; stepsons, James, Mike, and Roger Hutchinson and their spouses; daughter-in-law, Mercy Derry; grandchildren, Cody and Heidi Clark, Brett Clark, Dante and Madison Clark, Kaylee and Kory Kuykendall, Haleigh and Stephen Joseph, Hayden Condray, and Wyatt Derry; great grandchildren, Kayden, Londyn, Tucker, Briley, Konnor, Natalie, and future great grandson, Tate (Nov., 2017). He is also survived by his sisters, Donna Bailey and husband Bill of Independence, Missouri, and Jody Johnson and husband Richard of Lamoni, Iowa; and many nieces, nephews, and close friends. He is preceded in death by wife, Connie Derry; son, Jay Derry; parents, Arthur and Wanda Derry; his birth mother, Mildred Faulkerson; and beloved dogs, Morgan, Sugar, Bernie, Sam, and Baby. A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 5 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home & Crematory in Urbandale, Iowa. A reception will be held at Derry’s Lounge, 4845 Merle Hay Rd, Des Moines, Iowa 50322 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Animal Rescue League of Iowa. Website:   www.arl-iowa.org.