Larry V. Cassaday

CASSADAY

Posted By: dbeier (email)
Date: 12/9/2010 at 12:06:16

Larry V. Cassaday
Date: December 06, 2010

Larry V. Cassaday, 78, of Independence, Iowa, died Monday afternoon, December 6, 2010, at his home in Independence following a short illness.

He was born on November 2, 1932, in Des Moines, Iowa the son of Harold V. and Orel K. (Griffith) Cassaday. He graduated from the North High School in Des Moines and attended Ottawa University, Ottawa, Kansas.

On November 8, 1953 he was united in marriage to Phyllis E. Miller in the First Baptist Church, Des Moines, Iowa. He entered the U.S. Army on November, 1953 serving until his discharge in 1955.

Upon his discharge Larry worked in the refrigeration business with his father. In 1965 Larry formed a partnership with Don Taylor and started Midwest Refrigeration in Independence, Iowa operating it until 2000.

Every since his first canoe trip at the age of 16 to the Boundary Waters, to fishing with his best friend Dave Berard in Northern Minnesota, Canada, and the Hudson Bay areas, and spending every weekend on his house boat docked on the Mississippi River at Guttenberg, Iowa Larry loved to be on the water.

Most important in Larry’s life was his wife Phyllis, his children, grandchildren, and friends. His greatest pleasure was to have family close and to make wonderful memories, especially those on the water. He was a generous man in both work and play. He would want all of us to stay strong and celebrate the great life he had.

He was a member of the Urbandale Volunteer Fire Department, Urbandale, Iowa, the Buchanan County Health Trust, serving as president, the Independence Chamber of Commerce, the Elks Club, the 611 Yacht Club, and the Iowa Grocery Association. He was active in the Republican Party and served on the Congressional Selection Board for the Military Academy.

He is survived by his wife Phyllis Cassaday, Independence, Iowa, four children; Steve Cassaday, Independence, Iowa, Tina Thompson, Maxwell, Iowa, Doug (Carol) Cassaday, and Heidi (Kevin) Tudor, Independence, Iowa. Five Grandchildren; Jake Thompson, Cassidi Thompson, Brooke Cassaday, Brittany Cassaday, and Chloe Tudor, and two great grandchildren; Marlo and Eva Thompson, and Jake the dog.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his step-mother Blache Cassaday, and a son-in-law Keith Thompson.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Friday, December 10th, at the Reiff Funeral Home & Crematory, Independence with Rev. Scott Meador officiating. Burial will be in the Mt. Hope Cemetery, Independence with Kevin Tudor, Craig Book, Jake Thompson, Elliott Reed, Charles Bergman, and Joel Wickner serving as casket bearers. Friends may call from 2 to 8 P.M. Thursday at the funeral home where a military memorial service will be conducted at 7 P.M. Thursday.

Memorials may be directed to the Larry V. Cassaday Memorial Fund, % Bank Iowa, 230 1st St. E.; Independence, Iowa 50644