Larry Dean Bleeker (1943-1967)

BLEEKER, STOCKDILL

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 7/14/2025 at 13:14:16

From the Ames Daily Tribune, Ames, Story County, Iowa, October 30, 1967.

Ames Marine was killed in Vietnam

Marine Corps Second Lt. Larry Bleeker, 24, Ames, was killed Thursday by sniper fire while in a defensive position in Vietnam.

He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Hiram W Bleeker, 808 Hunziker Drive, who were notified of his death by the Marine Corps Sunday.

A 1961 graduate of Ames High School and a 1986 graduate of Iowa State University, he joined the Marine Corps in June, 1966. He received combat training at Quantico, Va., and left San Francisco for Vietnam Oct. 3.

He had been active in the Navigators, a non-denominational student religious organization, and in the Campus Crusade for Christ, and Intervarsity, an organization of Christian students.

Lt. Bleeker had made a number of tape recordings which he sent to friends and relatives. One of the most recent, sent to his parents before he left for Vietnam, said, in part, "Mom, Dad, I want you to know I'm ready to go. I'm ready to live, die, or to do either for the glory of Jesus Christ."

Survivors include his parents, three brothers, Gary Lee Bleeker, 4612 Ontario Road, Ronald Ray Bleeker, a junior at Iowa State University and LeRoy Eugene, a junior at Ames High School; a sister, Marlene Kay, a student at Central Junior High School, and his grandmother, Mrs. Walter Stockdill, Streator, Ill.

Funeral arrangements will be announced by the Adams Funeral Home.

From the Ames Daily Tribune, Ames, Story County, Iowa, November 4, 1967.

Bleeker rites to be Tuesday

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday for Marine Corps, Second Lt. Larry D. Bleeker,24, who was killed Oct. 26 by sniper fire in Vietnam.

Lt. Bleeker was born June 21, 1943 in Ames, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Hiram W. Bleeker, 808 Hunziker Drive. He was a 1961 graduate of Iowa State University.

He joined the Marine Corps in June, 1966, and received his training at Quantico, Va. He departed from San Francisco, Calif. Oct 3 en route to Vietnam.

Lt. Bleeker had been active in the Navigators, a non-denominational student religious organization, and in the Campus Crusade for Christ, and Intervarsity, an organization of Christian students.

Survivors include his parents; three brothers, Gary Lee Bleeker, 4612 Ontario Road, Ronald Ray Bleeker, a junior at Iowa State University and LeRoy Eugene, a junior at Ames High School; a sister, Marlene Kay, a student at Central Junior High School, and his grandmother, Mrs. Walter Stockdill, Streator, Ill.

Services will be held Tuesday from the Campus Baptist Church, with the Rev. Paul Tassel officiating. Military graveside services will be held at Ames Municipal Cemetery.

A memorial fund has been established. Gifts may be left with the First National Bank.

The body will lie in state at the Adams Funeral Home until Monday noon.