Larry Conley Barr, age 88, of Scranton, IA, passed away on Thursday, January 8, 2026 at St. Anthony Regional Hospital in Carroll surrounded by his family.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Scranton Methodist Church in Scranton with Pastor Kevin Evers officiating. The organist will be Cheryl Nailor. Casket bearers will be Trent Murphy, Michael Murphy, Laura Odland, Luke TerHark, Maci Tews, Dan Pomeroy, Jim Molitor, and Ed Spindler. Honorary casket bearers will be Ryder Murphy, Chase Murphy, Zaena Murphy, Tucker Murphy, Brynlee Odland, Brooke Odland, Brenna Odland, Matt Odland, Karly TerHark, Tiffany Murphy, and Clark Fielding. Burial will be in the Scranton Township Cemetery.
Visitation will be held at the Scranton United Methodist Church from 5 – 7 P.M. on Monday, January 12, 2026. Additional visitation will be held on Tuesday morning from 9:30 – 10:15 A.M. prior to the service.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Scranton and online condolences may be left for the family at www.dahnandwoodhouse.com
Larry was born on April 27, 1937 in Atlantic, IA, and was the son of Clyde and Helen (Bashaw) Barr. The family moved to Scranton when he was six months old for his dad to continue his career as a barber. In 1942, the family moved to his grandfather’s farm in rural Elliott, IA. In 1948, they moved back to a farm near Scranton where they began raising Angus cattle. Larry attended the Scranton Consolidated Schools graduating with the Class of 1956.
On September 21, 1957 Larry married his high school sweetheart Florence Gaye Janice Hoyt and together they raised their four children. Larry farmed their first few years of marriage and then began hauling cattle in 1964. In June of 1972, Larry began his career with New York Life Insurance Company. He had an outstanding career and represented the company for 53 years.
Larry had several passions he was able to fulfill. Larry umpired from 1969 – 2002. During his 33 years as an umpire, he was selected to work at the state baseball tournament 19 of those years. He also worked several college softball and college baseball games. He was inducted to the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame and the Iowa High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame.
Larry spent a lifetime raising champion black angus cattle. LAD-OR Farms was where it all began with his father. He showed cattle with his dad, brothers, son, daughters, and even his son-in-law and grandsons. In 1967, they showed the Grand Champion Angus Bull at the Iowa State Fair.
Larry and Gaye enjoyed traveling together. He has been to all 50 states multiple times and could recollect many stories from his previous travels…some are quite elaborate and always entertaining. Larry and Gaye enjoyed 37 winters in Hawaii. We like to say that he was a walking GPS. He was so proud of his family. A lot of the travels included going to support his children and grandchildren.
Larry is survived by his wife Gaye Barr of Scranton, IA; children: Jeff Barr of West Des Moines, IA, Karen Murphy (Pat) of Jefferson, IA, Shelly TerHark (Todd) of Clarion, IA, and Monica Tews (significant other Clark Fielding) of West Des Moines; grandchildren: Trent Murphy, Michael Murphy (Tiffany), Laura Odland (Matt), Luke TerHark (Karly), and Maci Tews; great grandchildren: Ryder, Chase, Zaena, Tucker, Brynlee, Brooke, Brenna, Noah, Gretah, and Bellah; brothers, Allen Barr (Ruby) of Stevensville, MT, and Derryl Barr (Pam) of West Des Moines; brothers-in-laws, Dale Hoyt (Linda) of Scranton, and Neal Hoyt (Caroline) of Scranton; several nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Larry is preceded in death by his parents and son-in-law Ron Tews.
