Larry Ames, 89, of Oskaloosa, passed away at the Pella Regional Hospital on Thursday, April 9, 2026.

Lawrence "Larry" Duwayne Ames, son of Lawrence Ray and Winifred (Jones) Ames, was born April 3, 1937, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He was raised and educated in Grand Rapids and joined the Air Force on July 23, 1954. He served until August 5, 1963. While in the military, he married Ann Marie Kingsley on June 5, 1958, in Caledonia, Michigan. After his discharge, he worked at Steelcase Furniture Company in Grand Rapids, a career he truly enjoyed. Because of Larry's commitment to his faith and Savior, he felt God calling him to a career change to Christian service. In 1972, this call brought the family to Vennard College in University Park, where he served in business development and fundraising. In 1979, he was called to Kansas City, Missouri, where he served the Church of the Nazarene General Headquarters. Compassion International in Colorado Springs, Colorado, called him to join their mission in 1991, and Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois, offered him a position in 1997. In 2006, the couple returned to Oskaloosa, but Larry continued to serve Olivet University remotely until his retirement in 2013. He was an active member of the Gateway Church of the Nazarene, teaching Sunday school, serving on the church board, and participating in numerous mission trips. In 2019, the church awarded him the Distinguished Service Award. In his spare time, he enjoyed woodworking and fishing.

His family includes his wife, Ann of Oskaloosa; his sons, Steve (Sherri) Ames of Bella Vista, Arkansas, and Alan Ames of Oskaloosa; and a daughter-in-law, Pam Ames of Spring Hill, Kansas. He was blessed with eight grandchildren: Sara Ames, Adam (Angie) Ames, Drew (Deanna) Ames, Liz (Nick) Pearcy, Ashley (Ryan) Stillman, Jesse (Meriaha) Ames, Kaitlyn (Hunter) Sheets, Dalton Ames; and nine great-grandchildren.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Randy, and a sister, Florence Whyte.

Funeral services for Larry will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at the Gateway Church of the Nazarene in Oskaloosa, with Rev. Andy Watts officiating. Burial will be in Forest Cemetery. The Oskaloosa Honor Guard and Chaplain Major Andrew Ames, U.S. Army, will present military honors. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m., Tuesday at Langkamp Funeral Chapel; the family will greet visitors from 5-7 p.m. Memorials can be made to the Gateway Church of the Nazarene. A Livestream link will be available soon.