Obituary of Lawrence "Larry" Hughston Sexton

Lawrence Hughston Sexton, 89

Downey, Iowa

Lawrence “Larry” Hughston Sexton passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Friday, May 4, 2018 at The Bird House in Iowa City, Hospice Home of Johnson  County.

Larry was born May 12, 1928 in rural Johnson County, Iowa the son of Harry and Agnes (Jensen) Sexton. His family moved to Downey in 1936 and it was his home town ever since. He attended the Downey School and received a diploma from West Branch High School. He was a sergeant in the United States Marine Air Core from 1946 -1949 and a World War II veteran. On October 25, 1952, Larry was united in marriage to Marilyn June Nighbert. Larry worked on a farm for Wes Hotka for one year. Then he was employed by Wilder Grain Elevator in Downey for seven years. He retired from Procter and Gamble in Iowa City in1990, after working there for thirty four years.  He was the twenty ninth male hired at Procter and Gamble’s new plant in Iowa City.

Larry enjoyed spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, friends, and neighbors. He liked to spend time in his garden, especially tending to his beautiful flowers, picking fruit from his fruit trees, feeding the birds and squirrels, at the cabin, and fishing. Larry enjoyed watching sports, especially the Iowa Hawkeyes, the West Branch, West Liberty, and Lone Tree football games. He was on Procter and Gamble’s bowling league and slo pitch softball team. Larry was a member of the Downey Baptist Church and a past member of the American Legion in Lone Tree.

Larry was a loving husband, a wonderful dad, and a devoted grandpa, great grandpa, brother, and friend. His resonated warmth, kindness, generosity, and wisdom touched many lives. Larry will be greatly missed.

Larry is survived by his wife of 65 years, Marilyn (Nighbert) Sexton of Downey. Three children: Cheri (Mike Wolfe) Sexton of Lone Tree, Cindy (Glenn) Elzey of Solon, and Michael (Michelle) Sexton of Iowa City. Four grandchildren: Chad (Melissa) Shield, Jeni (Addam Hillard) Hunnicutt, Stephanie (Justin) Wainwright, and Shawn Sexton. Five great grandchildren: Cade and Rylee Shield, Katelyn Maldonado, and Maelyn and Landon Wainwright. Godchildren: Jerry and Kelly Graham.

Siblings: a twin sister, Laura Slach of West Branch,  Paul (Myrt) Sexton of West Branch. Sister-in-laws: Rosemary Sexton of West Branch, Dorothy Sexton of Lone Tree, and Doris (Doug) Ratliff of Molino, Florida. He was proceded in death by his parents, and six brothers: George (Althea), Maynard (Jean), Ross, John, Bill, and Bob.

Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. Monday, May 7, 2018 at the Henderson-Barker Funeral Home in West Branch, Iowa. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Tuesday, May 8, 2018 at the Henderson-Barker Funeral Home. Burial with military honors will be at the Downey Cemetery. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.hendersonbarkerfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Downey Baptist Church, 2290 Baker Ave., West Branch, IA 52358 and the Iowa City Hospice, 1025 Wade St., Iowa City, IA 52240