Larry E. Haynes

Larry Eugene Haynes, 74, of Manchester, passed away peacefully Friday, March 24, 2023, after his fight with failing health, surrounded by his loving family till the very end.

Larry was born Sept. 7, 1948, to Eldon and Helen Haynes in Creston. He attended Creston High School, graduating with the class of 1966. As a young man Larry developed a passion for sports, especially football. How his children refused to be Packers fans is a great mystery. But they could always count on a phone call after a Packers win exclaimed by a very loud “blowing raspberries” sound. If you didn’t pick up, it was ok, he’d leave a message.

At the ripe old age of 18, in the summer of 1966, Larry started to work for the Iowa DOT. As a construction tech, Larry worked on many roadways and bridges many drive on today. Larry’s memory of the troubles they had and what the weather was like during construction was vast. As his family can attest to due to our “Gilligan’s Island” three-hour tours around the roads of eastern Iowa.

Larry was married to Karen in Creston. They had a son, Michael B. Haynes, before divorcing in 1978. Determined to meet the love of his life, Larry met Judy McChesney Brown. By 1980, Larry had somehow convinced Judy to shorten her convoy of names to Judy Haynes and marry him. Four children joined the Haynes family who eventually settled in Manchester.

If working fulltime and supporting a family wasn’t enough, Larry became a Scout Master in 1980. Over the course of his 25-plus year tenure, Larry led 25 Scouts to the rank of Eagle for Troop 33, attended the Wood Badge training program and mentored many others. A point of pride he continued to keep till his final days, as he reached out to his former Eagles asking them “how Scouting had impacted their lives.” Blessed to share even the briefest of moments with his 25 Eagles he can tout business owners, lawyers, master tradesmen, military officers and even a mayor.

Larry spent much of his life learning as many things as he could. He collected skills and stories as if they were a currency he’d later gift to his children and grandchildren. From the pride and practice of his cursive handwriting he passed down to his granddaughter Stephanie, to the shooting sports and rifle skills which helped his daughter shoot expert while enlisted in the Army and most importantly, how to “Be Prepared,” in which his sons Mike and Robbie Brown took to heart earning the rank of Eagle. His grandson, Brandon, continues to teach in the Scouts BSA.

Reverent to nature to his last day, Larry enjoyed taking his grandkids to the fish hatchery or camping at Coffins Grove. Seemingly always accompanied by a dog he spoiled more than any grandkid, Larry was no stranger to adopting a pet in need. In later years, Larry enjoyed watching the Decorah Eagles via online video livestream and would often comment on their majesty and decorum.

Prior to his health issues, Larry loved driving. Whether it be a truck, motorcycle or snowmobile, you could find him motoring down the roads he dedicated himself to for so long. In 2007, after 42 years with the Iowa DOT, Larry retired.

He did not retire from making memories with his family. Larry often would group news snippets or political dealings to share. He was a vocal advocate for unions and the Democratic party of Iowa. With the advent of digital media, there was no stopping him from informing you as to the goings on of Delaware County and the greater eastern Iowa minutia.

Visiting or calling always meant a western movie or 50s and 60s era music would be playing, and a set of coins would be out for inspection, a hobby that turned into a small business shortly after his retirement. One of the greatest gifts he was ever given was the collaboration of a Google Nest hub and subscription to Spotify. The greatest treasure of his life was his family.

Larry was preceded in death by his grandparents, Earl and Myrtle Cline, Roy Haynes and Florence Baker; father, Eldon Haynes and son, Robert Brown.

Larry is survived by his mother, Helen Haynes; wife, Judy Haynes; children: Melinda Carr, Susan (Clarke) Beavers, Michael B. (Laurie) Haynes and Michael (Anita) Brown; grandchildren: Brandon (Velvette) Billmeyer, Stephanie (Justin) Novak, Cameron Brown and Michaela Brown as well as many great-grandchildren.

Larry will be missed for his support and guidance, as many of us have lost a mentor. “May the great Scoutmaster of all Scouts be with us until we meet again, and may our footsteps lead unto Him.”

Family will greet friends from 1-4 p.m., Tuesday, March 28 at Leonard-Muller Funeral Home in Manchester. Inurnment will be in St. Mary Catholic Cemetery, Manchester. Online condolences may be sent to www.leonard-mullerfh.com.