Larry E. McDermott, 69, of Dubuque, Iowa, passed away Sunday, January 21, 2018 at his home in Mesa, Arizona.

Friends and relatives of Larry may call from 3 to 8 p.m., Sunday, January 28, 2018 at St. Joseph’s the Worker Catholic Church in Dubuque, Iowa, where a wake service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Friends may also call after 9 a.m., Monday at the Church.
Services for Larry will held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, January 29, 2018 at St. Joseph’s the Worker Catholic Church in Dubuque, Iowa with Rev. Gabriel Anderson presiding. Burial will be held in Holy Family Cemetery in New Melleray (rural Peosta), Iowa, with full military honors afforded by the Epworth John White American Legion Post #650.

Larry was born November 10, 1948 in Dubuque, Iowa, son of Emmett and Dorothy (Potts) McDermott. He is a 1966 graduate of Western Dubuque High School in Epworth, IA. Larry founded McDermott Excavating in 1978 and ran it successfully until his retirement in 2015.

He was united in marriage to Sharon Donovan on October 25, 1974 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Fillmore, IA. Sharon preceded him in death on October 14, 2017.

Larry loved spending time with his family, especially his children and grandchildren. He was a Vietnam War Veteran, having served in the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division. He was a member of the Epworth American Legion-John White Post #650.
A strong supporter of emergency services in Dubuque County, Larry served for 30 years on the Epworth Community Fire Department Board of Directors. He was also a member of St. Joseph’s the Worker Parish in Dubuque, Iowa.

Larry shared with his dad and brothers a passion for Allis-Chalmers farm tractors. He enjoyed spending winters golfing with his friends in Mesa, AZ.

He is survived by his children, Troy (Kate Conlon) McDermott of Dubuque, IA and their children Natalie and Clara, Tara (Bo) Duggan of Pewaukee, WI and their children Cooper and Maverick and Tina (Jon) Humston of Iowa City, IA and their children, Levi and Dallas; his mother; Dorothy McDermott of Cascade, IA; six siblings, Cherie McDermott of Epworth, IA, Terry (Kathy) McDermott of Peosta, IA and Tim (Lori) McDermott of Bernard, IA, Tom (Stephanie) McDermott of Cascade, IA, Todd (Dana) McDermott of Bernard, IA and Trace (Karen) McDermott of Marion, IA; one-brother-in-law , Patrick (Catherine) Donovan of Bernard, IA; two sisters-in-law, Janet (Jim) Hanks of West Des Moines, IA and Phyllis (Fred) Urbain of Epworth, IA; along with several nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Sharon; his father, Emmett McDermott; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Clifford J. and Lucille Donovan.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.reifffuneralhomeinc.com

A Larry McDermott memorial fund has been established at Fidelity Bank in lieu of flowers.