Larry Cairns

Born January 7, 1938, in Des Moines Iowa, Larry was the only child of Thelma Maxine (Patterson) and James Alexander Cairns. The family moved about including time in Belmond Iowa and the metro area. He joked about attending most schools in Des Moines since the family moved around the Metro. After graduating from Des Moines Tech in 1956, he began his 24 year career with “Ma Bell”. In 1957 he attended the Great Lakes Naval Training center setting sail aboard the USS Ranger on her maiden voyage south around the cape into the Pacific basin. After 2 years active duty, he moved into the Navy Reserve and returned to Iowa. He cherished his time in the navy and felt every man and women would transform their lives with 4 years serving their country.

Furthering his education, he spent time at both Iowa State College, the University of Alabama and earned a certificate of architecture from the International Correspondence School.

At Northwestern Bell, he started small and finished strong managing 352 buildings, 3.1 million square feet, worth more than $100 million. His expertise was in demand across the United States and he spent a lot of time on the road, long before any frequent flier perks. In 1979, he took a huge risk and launched Ankeny Construction. Larry earned several awards for innovative building design for projects in Ankeny, including Schneiders Square, Vision Clinic and the first veterinary facility with separate entrances for cats and dogs! In 1994, Ankeny Construction grew into Contractors Group expanding their capabilities even more.

Building was in his blood both in occupation and community betterment. He made time for countless civic roles including Co-chair United Way of Ankeny, V.P. Ankeny Jaycees, Ankeny Industrial Development Committee President, Co-chair Pony Express, Ankeny City Council (1974-1982), Metro Solid Waste Agency, Board of Directors Associated Builders and Contractors, Uptown Ankeny Association, Ankeny Board of Adjustment while raising three children. With the community growing, he also made time to start Ankeny’s little league football and always stepped up when asked to serve whether if be in roles with Ankeny Gymnastics, Centennial Committee, Fun and Feed Days, New High School Committee, the Ankeny Historical Society, the Eagles, VFW, Commander for the Des Moines Sail and Power Squadron, District 30 Admin Officer and founding the Tri-lakes Power Squadron at Table Rock Lake. Larry even earned the Ankeny Small Business Person of the year award.

Larry was a Charter member Ankeny Elks lodge, 32nd Degree Mason, member of the Eagles, VFW and the Des Moines Scottish Rite. somewhere there was time to attend the kids many activities, ball games, gymnastic meets, sailing, fishing, boating, traveling and riding motorcycles.

Following his first attempt at retirement in 1997, the summer was spent outfitting a “live aboard boat” in Prescott, WI sailing down the Mississippi and Ohio rivers, eventually docking in the Florida Keys at Marathon. The Keys were paradise, December through March, compared to Iowa winters but 3 hurricanes and 5 tornadoes changed that view. In 1999, home was overlooking Table Rock Lake, a new construction company and of course, more community and civic roles with Planning and Zoning, and Stone County Board of Adjustment.

Larry enjoyed travel and the family saw much of the USA and Mexico via a pickup mounted camper. Cruising with friends and motorcycle trips were popular. At 70, he and his son enjoyed a motorcycle trip across Costa Rica sleeping beneath an active volcano and ziplining the cloud forest. In 2018 at 81, Larry decided it was time to get his bad knees replaced, and to slow down to 6 days a week. Retirement came early however with his first stroke in December 2018 and moving back to Iowa became a necessity where he enjoyed country living overlooking a small pond in Warren County.

Unfortunately, 2007 brought health issues of prostate cancer, leukemia. With exceptional care from the VA of Central Iowa for over 3 years, he enjoyed country living with his son and daughter-in-law overlooking a small pond with lots of wildlife. Planning for his return home from another brief hospital visit May 4, 2022 was underway when smiles suddenly turned to eternal peace (we can’t say rest, that’s just not possible for Larry).

Larry is survived by his children Lori Ferguson, Lisa Litterer (Dennis), Randy Cairns (Christine Cairns), five grandchildren and five great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents and son-in-law Curt Ferguson.

Visitation will be Thursday, May 12th 6-8pm at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Ave., Des Moines, with funeral services Friday May 13th at 2pm at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to VA of Central Iowa Larry's name. These people do amazing work for our veterans and should be a model for our national program.




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