Larry Cameron

Larry Joseph Cameron, 81, of Des Moines, Iowa passed away on March 17, 2026 from Biliary Tract/Liver cancer (Cholangiocarcinoma).

He was born July 26, 1944 to Velma Cameron in Iowa City, Iowa. Larry grew up in Nevada, Iowa in the home of Roscoe and Elsie Pritchard with his mother Velma always involved in his care. Later on, the Pritchard’s daughter Gloria (Chester) Bills and their three children (who Larry grew up with) gave Larry and his mother a second family.

Larry graduated from Nevada High School in 1963, and in September of 1963 he enlisted in the Navy. He spent four years in the service earning the rank of Radioman Third Class. Larry spent two years serving aboard the aircraft carrier USS Oriskany where he survived a very serious fire on the ship while out in the middle of the ocean. The remainder of his service was spent in Guam. Larry returned home and settled in Des Moines where he went to what was then called Grandview Junior College where he earned a two-year Associates degree. After college he worked at the Western Union Office downtown for about 17 years until the office closed. The rest of his working career was spent at the Department of Veterans Affairs in Des Moines where he worked very hard to process Veterans claims. While working at the VA he was named the “officer in charge of morale” before he retired in 2014. Larry was extremely personable throughout his life, he had a great sense of humor and loved to make people laugh. It was often said, “he never met a stranger”.

Larry met his wife, Connie Donahue through mutual friends at a Drake basketball game. They bonded over many shared interests especially sports and politics. They were married on May 22, 1976. Larry very much hoped to be able to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary this May, but it was not to be. Larry and Connie enjoyed many good times and adventures with much laughter and as best friends.

He was a huge sports fan, especially baseball. Larry enjoyed collecting sports cards and sports memorabilia. He was a lifelong LA Dodgers fan, he was elated with their world series win the last 2 years. He also followed the St. Louis Blues, Boston Celtics, Iowa State Cyclones, and long-suffering Chicago Bears fan. Larry enjoyed volunteering and walking with the local Volkssport Association (GDMVA) for many years. Larry also enjoyed music, reading, nature, and animals both domestic and wild. He volunteered at IPTV (now IowaPBS) during Festival and at the Iowa State Fair booth for many years. A highlight of his life was the (17 hour) bus trip he took twice to Toronto to see the taping of the Red Green Show with a side trip to the Hockey Hall of Fame. In recent years, thanks to Larry’s nephews and niece he was able to enjoy trips to Mt. Rushmore, Yellowstone, Colorado Springs, and Branson.

Larry is survived by his wife of 49 years, Connie; members of his second family, Judith Blair, Sharon (Richard) Sears and Craig (Pam) Bills; nephews, John (Rob) Rouze-Luke and David Luke; niece, Jodi (Jeff) Maske; and great nephews and nieces, Robert Luke, Liz Luke, Alisha Luke, Jessica Shafer, and Jenna Maske.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Velma; uncles, Homer Cameron, Robert Cameron, and John Cameron; aunt; Kay Schoenenberger; second family, Roscoe and Elsie Pritchard; niece, Amy Luke; brothers and sisters-in-law, Colin and Barb Luke and Bill and Kathy Aldred.

Family will greet friends Sunday, March 29, 2026 at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Avenue in Des Moines from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Memorial service will take place the following day Monday, March 30, 2026 at 10 a.m. with burial to follow at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery, 1 NE 60th Avenue in Des Moines, Iowa.

Memorial contributions can be made to IowaPBS or the Animal Rescue league of Iowa in loving memory of Larry Cameron.

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