Larry Allan DeGraaf

Larry Allan DeGraaf of Owens Cross Roads, AL, passed away on March 28, 2025. Born, February 21, 1945, in Gary, Indiana, to Jacob and Agnes (Poortenga) DeGraaf; he was the eldest of five children.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brothers, Jim and Kenny DeGraaf.

He is survived by his wife of thirty-one years, Rita (Chastain); sisters, Barbara (Jerry) Mithen and Donna (Ronald) Smith; his daughters, Catherine DeGraaf, Rebecca (Paul) Nawrot, Kendall DeGraaf, Skylar DeGraaf; grandchildren, Tristan Cain, Leah Nawrot and Jake Nawrot; nephews, Jeff (Sinead) and Wayne (Gloria) DeGraaf; great nieces, Ashling, Riley, and Brielle; great nephew, Blake; his Aunt Dorothy (Dot),;and his cousins, Marilyn, Joan, and Don.

Larry graduated from Illiana Christian High School in Lansing, IL, where he met his high school sweetheart, and first wife, Bonnie (Hoekstra). He went on to earn a bachelors in physical education and masters in education administration from Purdue University. He had a long and distinguished career in park and recreation management. He began his career as Director of the West Lafayette (Indiana) Department of Parks and Recreation; then served as Director of the New Albany and Floyd County (Indiana) Departments of Parks and Recreation; then he took the position of Executive Director of the Morale, Welfare and Recreation Department at Great Lakes Naval Training Center (Illinois); he then served as Executive Director of the Golf-Maine (Illinois) Park District, followed by Executive Director at the Vernon Hills Park District (Illinois) until his retirement in March of 2009.

Larry served his country with pride and distinction as a Naval Reserve Officer with a specialty in Cryptology, serving 28 years, along with three prior years of active duty. He was honorably discharged as a Lieutenant Commander. He retired in 2009 to help care for his special needs daughter, Kendall. In September of 2018, Larry and Rita moved to Alabama to be closer to Rita’s family.

Larry is remembered by family, work colleagues and friends as a strong, creative, innovative leader and mentor to many. He had a quick wit and could charm all whose paths he crossed. He left this earth far too soon, after an almost four-month fight following a medical procedure. His love, teachings, guidance, and kind heart are already sorely missed.

A celebration of life is planned for sometime in the Spring, in Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation

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