Larry L. Pool

Larry LaVern Pool, 87, went home to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on October 12, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.  He passed due to complications from a fall in his home.  Services will be held Saturday, October 17, 2026, at Peace Lutheran Church, 5615 SW 14^th St. in Des Moines at 11:00 a.m. with visitation 2 hours prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at Norwalk Cemetery, Norwalk, Iowa.

Larry was born on August 18, 1939, at home on a farm northeast of Fisk, Iowa to LaVern and Arlene (Lewis) Pool.  He was the youngest of three children.  His early years were spent on the farm until his family moved to Highland Park on the north side of Des Moines in 1945.  He attended Saylor Elementary, Warren Harding Middle School and graduated from Des Moines Technical High School in January 1959.  His core area at Tech was Drafting.

He married Janet Cottrell on September 11, 1965, and to this union three children were born.  The couple first made their home in Ankeny before moving to Greenfield Plaza on the south side of Des Moines in 1968.  They were married for 56 years until Janet’s passing from Lewy Body Dementia in 2022.

After graduating from high school, he worked as a surveyor and drafter before starting his career with the Iowa Conservation Commission (now the Iowa Department of Natural Resources) in 1963.  He worked there for 39 years until his retirement in 2002.  Initially, he worked in the Engineering Department preparing drawings of roads and dams.  He transferred to the Information & Education Department as a Graphic Artist.  He created many logos, artwork and layouts for brochures and educational materials.  He created and maintained maps and park brochures for each of Iowa’s state parks.  He was also responsible for the artwork and layout for the Iowa Conservationist magazine (now Iowa Outdoors).  He designed the 1971 and 1972 Iowa Trout Stamps.  His most recognizable artwork is the Natural Resources Goldfinch license plate.

He was an avid woodworker and woodcarver.  He carved numerous waterfowl and songbirds that were so lifelike they appeared to be able to take flight.  He carved two large carousel rocking horses for the grandkids and was awarded a blue ribbon at the Iowa State Fair for the Clydesdale.  He also carved two scale WWII airplanes.  The first was a P-51 Mustang and the second was a F4U Corsair.

Larry is survived by his three children: David Pool, Sandra (Derrick) Sharpe, and Linda (Douglas Fils) Pool; four grandchildren, Zachary (Catherine) Sharpe, Jacob Sharpe, Rebecca Sharpe and Matthew Fils; one great-grandchild, Elijah Sharpe; two step great-grandchildren, Sarah Kuster and Saige Kuster; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Larry was preceded in death by his wife Janet; parents, LaVern and Arlene Pool; sister, Phyllis Hanke; brother-in-law, Alfred Hanke; and infant brother, James Pool.

Memorials may be directed to the family and condolences expressed at www.IlesCares.com.

Arrangements by Iles Norwalk Chapel.