Larry A. Ives

Larry A. Ives, 76, of Kokomo, went to be with his Lord and Savior at 9:12 am Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at Ascension St. Vincent Kokomo. He was born in Kokomo, IN, on June 8, 1946, the son of the late Stanley and Mary (Kiser) Ives. On February 14, 1976, he married Marlis Jones Graham in Leesburg, FL, and she survives.

Larry was a 1964 graduate of Kokomo High School. He graduated from Indiana University in 1976 and later earned a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Ball State University in 1979. He served a career in law enforcement as a Kokomo Police Officer for 20 years and worked as Chief of Police in Delphi, IN, from 1992 through 1997. He and Joan Dumoulin started the first D.A.R.E. program in Indiana in 1985 under the leadership of Rodger Fain. Upon retirement from law enforcement, Larry was instrumental in bringing a fixed route trolley system and senior bus to the city of Kokomo. Larry was a devout Christian man and was a member of Oakford Baptist Church/Crossroads Community Church for 30 years. He was a current member of Grace United Methodist Church. He was musically gifted and sang in a gospel group called the Peacemakers.

In addition to his wife Marlis, Larry is survived by his children, Wayne (Susan) Ives, Lori (Kevin) Akers, Saundra (Robert) Moten, Julie (Tom) Byers, Kathy Graham; grandchildren, Noel (Amanda) Ives, Jaci (Matt) Arney, Ryan (Abby) Perry, Pat (Ally) Perry, Ethan Akers, Emily Akers, Brandon Moten, Jacob (Tabitha) Byers, Levi (Hilary) Byers, Noah (Carlissa) Byers, Dante (Cortny) Graham, Deon (Sydney Combs) Graham, Jared Newton; uncle, Richard Kiser; 15 great-grandchildren and one expected this summer; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Judy (Sam) Collins.

Friends are invited to visit with the family from 4 to 7 pm Tuesday, May 30, 2023, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory, 1315 West Lincoln Road, Kokomo, IN 46902. Funeral service will be held at 10 am on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at the funeral home, with Pastors Kim Drake and Jeff Harlow officiating. Special music will be provided by Danny Funderburk and Patrick Wilson. Burial will follow in Albright Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Larry’s memory to Howard County Community Foundation for the Kokomo High School Class of 1964 Scholarship Fund. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.

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