Larry D. Spoon

Larry Dean Spoon passed away on Friday, November 16, 2018, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center at the age of 60. He was born on August 6, 1958, in Des Moines, IA to Chester Hobert Spoon and Betty Jane Mitchell-Spoon.

Larry went to Chariton High School and graduated in 1976 and proceeded to earn an Associates in Criminal Justice Degree from Des Moines Area Community College. He was married to Cindy Anne Pettinger on April 11, 1980, and from that union had two children, Joshua Spoon and Jessica Spoon.

Larry went on to become a First Responder for the Lucas Fire Department and went on to earn his Firefighter-2, EMT-A, EMT-B, EMT-I and then his Paramedic Specialist, certified in BLS Healthcare Provider, PHTLS, BLS Instructor, PALS Instructor, PHTLS Instructor. He helped to shape the knowledge of many new emergency medical technicians and nurse’s as an instructor and a mentor. He worked the last 15 years of his career at Wayne County Hospital and loved every day he was able to help his patients and be a part of the Wayne County family. Larry’s proudest accomplishment was starting the IHSRA Rodeo Rescue. Larry created a state certified volunteer EMS group to travel with the Iowa High School Rodeo Association. He provided on-site emergency medicine to sick or injured contestants and their families.

There was nothing Larry loved more than packing up his camper for the weekend and traveling hours to take care of his ‘kids’ and be with his friends. When asked how many kids he had, Larry would always respond, “Two of my own and a few hundred spread across the state and the country.” He also served as Vice-President and President for the IHSRA. Another imprint he left on everyone he met was his Tom Selleck worthy mustache and his John Wayne personality, who were two of his idols. Larry grew up in Lucas, IA until college and came back after he was married to live the last 35 years of his life.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, his “brothers” Kelley Jones and Duane ‘Pete’ Jarrett and is survived by his brothers Dale (Annie) Spoon of Newton, and Craig (Karen) Spoon of Lacona, his children Josh Spoon of Des Moines and Jessica Spoon of Lucas, his nieces and nephews Derik Spoon of Johnston, Hillary (Eric) Halsten of Ankeny, Amber Spoon of Newton, Allicia (Andy) Bogart of Des Moines, and Tyler (Katie) Spoon of Omaha and his “grandchildren” Hayley, Jesse Lee and Rylee.

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