Lawrence “Larry” Gay, 85, passed away on Monday, April 19, 2021, at Hammond Henry Hospital, Geneseo, IL. Private family services will be held. Vandemore Funeral Home & Crematory will be assisting the family. Memorials may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation.

Lawrence was born on January 1, 1936, the son of Homer and Vivian (Elliott) Gay in Rose Hill, IA. He married the love of his life, Margie Newport, on August 27, 1955, in Oskaloosa, IA. He graduated from Lacey Consolidated High School in Lacey, IA. Larry graduated from Iowa State University in 1957. Larry was employed at John Deere for 35 years as an agricultural engineer. As an avid agriculturist, Larry wrote four books about tractors. He retired from John Deere in 1992. Larry enjoyed bicycling and traveling with his lovely wife.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Margie, Geneseo; son, Steve (Zhongxi) Gay, Huntley, IL; daughters, Pam (Dennis) Coonfield, Omaha, NE, Marcy (Chris) Cox, Saugatuck, MI; brothers, David (Sue) Gay, Portland, OR; sisters, Patty (Ted) Winegardner, Colombus, SC; sister-in-law, Sandra Gay, Morton, IL; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Homer and Vivian Gay; and brother, James Gay.