Larry Ray MASSEY, Sr.

MASSEY, SELLEY, BECK, NIMTZ, DERRICKSON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/8/2012 at 17:11:13

March 8, 1926 --- June 17, 2012

On Father's Day at 12:35 PM, Larry Ray Massey Sr. went to live with his Heavenly Father. Larry was born March 8, 1926 in Wright County, Iowa to Fred and Stella Massey. In 1948 Larry met and married the love of his life, Florence Selley Massey, whom he affectionately called his stubborn little English woman.

Larry was a 1944 graduate of Tipton High School. After graduation he enlisted in the Army Air Corp. He made staff sergeant and was a nose gunner on a B24 in the US 5th. Upon discharge he began his career at Chrysler Corp. In 1956, he went to Elwood, IN and began his tool and die profession at Excello Corp. Around 1964, he came back to Kokomo and began work at Service Tool and Die. In 1967, he became part owner and president of Service Tool and Die. He retired from there in 1988. In 1998 he decided he needed a job and went to work as a rural paper carrier for The Kokomo Tribune. Florence was his faithful assistant and they were beloved by their many customers.

Larry had a real zest for life and did everything to the max. He loved to fish, so he bought an island in Canada. Then came golf so he got a condo in Myrtle Beach. He loved ceramics and bought out several dealers. He had his own slip table and kiln. Then came bingo and he became an avid bingo man.

He always included his family in all his adventures. Larry is survived by his four children: Dotty and husband Dick Beck of Kokomo, Bud and wife Julie of Greentown, Larry Jr. and wife Donna of Kokomo, and Rita and husband Larry Nimtz of Greentown. He left 17 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. He has one surviving brother, Jerald and wife Marge of Tipton and one sister Valora and husband Loren Derrickson of Daytona Beach, Florida. Also several nieces and nephews. Larry was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and their wives; Wayne and Dorotha Massey of California, Myrel and Aggie Massey, and Claude and Lois Massey of Tipton. He was also preceded in death by two great grandchildren and a niece and a nephew.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 PM Thursday, June 21, 2012 at Ellers Mortuary Main Street Chapel, 725 South Main Street, with Rev. Alex Beane officiating. Burial will follow with Military Honors provided by the United States Army, and the local V.F.W. Military Rites Team at Kokomo Memorial Park. Friends may visit with the family from 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM Thursday at the mortuary.

Ellers Mortuary -- Kokomo, Indiana
http://hosting-24466.tributes.com/show/Larry-Ray-Massey-93970203