Larry D. Kennaley

Larry D. Kennaley, United States Navy (Ret.), passed away on March 11, 2026, at the age of 89. Born on September 24, 1936, in Iowa City, Iowa, to John Patrick Kennaley and Henrietta Voss, Larry spent his early childhood in Ida Grove, Iowa. At the age of eight, he and his widowed mother moved to Danbury, Iowa, where he grew up and graduated from high school.

He answered the call to serve his country by enlisting in the United States Navy, where what began as a term of service became a lifelong career. As a weather forecaster, Larry served with the renowned VW-4 Hurricane Hunters in Jacksonville, Florida, during the Cuban Missile Crisis in Key West, and in Mediterranean recovery operations for the deep-sea submersible Alvin. He also served aboard the Apollo 9 recovery ship USS Guadalcanal and participated in a high-altitude balloon project in New Jersey. His work supported both vital military missions and scientific exploration.

A man of deep faith and quiet dedication, Larry served his Church as a lay Eucharistic minister and CCD teacher. On February 7, 1959, he married Sheila Treiber of Danbury, Iowa, in Jacksonville, Florida. Their marriage was marked by enduring commitment and partnership. After retiring from the Navy, he continued his professional life for many years with Nikon, bringing the same reliability and dedication to his second career.

Larry is survived by his beloved wife, Sheila; his daughter, Kristen Schwinkendorf; and his son, Larry II. He is also lovingly remembered by his five grandchildren, Laura Teague, Jennifer Schwinkendorf, Zachary Tetreault, Cameron Kennaley, and Austin Kennaley, and by his great-grandson, Clay Kennaley. He was preceded in death by his parents and by two daughters, Renee Kennaley and Teresa Tetreault.