James "Jim" Parker LaRue

March 27, 1922 - November 1, 2019

Cedar Falls – James “Jim” Parker LaRue, age 97, of Cedar Falls, died Friday, November 1, 2019, at Western Home Communities – Deery Suites. He was born in Mission, TX on March 27, 1922, the son of James F. and Jessie (Backer) LaRue. He graduated from Cleveland High School in St Louis, MO in 1940. On January 20, 1945 he married Nancy Ashton in St Louis, MO. She preceded him in death on November 11, 2013. He served as a Naval Aviator during WWII, and then joined the US Naval Aviation Reserve. He received his BA from SE Missouri St at Cape Girardeau, MO, his MA from the University of Northern Colorado, and his Doctorate in Education from Penn State. Jim was a professor of industrial technology at the University of Northern Iowa for over 30 years, retiring in 1986. He was a member of the Cedar Falls Kiwanis, serving as a past Governor of Iowa/Nebraska chapters, a member of the American Foundryman’s Society, and a member of Cedar Falls First Presbyterian Church for over 60 years. Survived by: four children, Linda (Gary) Johanningmeier of Waukon, David LaRue of Orange, MA, Richard LaRue of Saco, ME, and Kathryn Gronberg of Cape Coral, FL; nine grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by: his wife; a son-in-law, William Gronberg; his sister, Mildred Parks; and a special friend, Cynthia Turner. Funeral services will be 10:30am Thursday, November 7 at First Presbyterian Church in Cedar Falls. Visitation will be from 4-6pm Wednesday at Richardson Funeral Service. Burial will be in Cedar Valley Memorial Gardens, with military honors provided by Cedar Falls AMVETS Post #49. Memorials may be directed to Western Home Foundation or the church.