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.
