Larry Lee Stater

November 24, 1937 – October 28, 2020

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Larry Lee Stater, 82, of Queen Creek, Arizona, went home to be with the Lord on October 28th, 2020 at 10:00AM surrounded by family and friends.

He was born on November 24th, 1937 to Edward and Paula (Jemison) Stater, in Ottumwa, Iowa. He married Joan (Owsley) Stater in Sumner County, Tennessee, on September 29th, 1972.

He graduated from Ottumwa High School and went on to attend Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri. While at Truman State, he earned a Master’s Degree and also served in the Marine Reserves.

He worked at General Motors for 32 years as a Manufacturing Supervisor, retiring in 1996.

Larry loved to serve others, and as a member of the United States Air Force from 1961-1965, he was a Combative Measures Judo instructor. He continued that love of service and community as a track coach at Northwestern High School in Kokomo, Indiana, and then as a school bus driver when he and his wife Joan moved to Mesa, Arizona.

Larry’s greatest passion was model trains. He built his own elaborate scenes, often a picture-perfect village nestled into a snowy mountain side, complete with winding tracks and custom train cars.

He was preceded in death by his mother, father, sisters Phyllis Pilcher and Betty Houk, and his brothers Edwin, George and infant Edward Jr. Stater.

Surviving Larry is his wife Joan, his brothers John and Rick Stater, his sisters Paula Boone and Grace Sparling, his children Jeffrey A. Bryant, Micheal A. Stater and Tammy L. Bowser and his grandchildren, Chandler, Sabrina, Alex and Samuel Bryant, Stephanie and Garrett Stater and Jacob and Makayla Ryan.

We are saddened at his passing, but take great comfort in knowing that he is with the Lord and free of pain. We will miss him here on Earth, but know we will see him again one day.

A celebration of Larry’s life will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2020 at 2:00pm at Mountain View Funeral Home, 7900 E Main St., Mesa, Arizona with interment to follow.

A secondary memorial service will be held in Kokomo, Indiana at a later date.

Contributions in lieu of flowers can be made to Hospice of the Valley.