Memorial
Dr. Larry McCray was born in Norfolk, VA on July 28th, 1938. He had a love for the sun and beach from birth. Although, much to his family’s dismay, he did continue to wear his Speedos about 60 years too long.
At an early age, his family moved to Illinois and eventually to Iowa where he attended school in Davenport. One of his first jobs there was at the city gas company putting the stink in natural gas. He excelled at that but soon decided there may be more to get out of life and enrolled at the University of Iowa in 1957. After a year of non-stellar grades, his advisor recommended to him to take up sheep herding instead of attending college. His dad then suggested that “The army wants you and I don’t”. Into the army he went.
He started basic training in 1958 at Ft Leonard Wood and his overseas duty at Wiesbaden, W Germany assigned to the 42nd Field Artillery Group where he honed his shooting skills. On his 21st birthday while guarding an empty carpool in the rain with a loaded weapon, it dawned on him that there might be something a little better out there to pursue. And, pursue he did.
He enrolled again at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry and took summer classes at Drake University. An internship was done at NIH, Bethesda, MD. This Internship enabled him an initial ranking of Captain in the US Army reserve. After completing the Commissioned Officers Training & Extern Programs there, he was awarded a ranking of Major. He also did an externship at the San Francisco Public Health Hospital in the summer of 1965. Larry completed his Master of Science degree in 1969. He published and co-authored two papers with one involving the effect of zinc sulfates on wound healing. He was a member of Delta Sigma Delta dental fraternity.
He opened his practice of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in the summer of 1969 in the Medical Arcade Building in Cedar Rapids, IA. He retired with a bang after several decades of a very busy and successful practice and a staff that was second to none. He will be forever grateful for Stacy and Kathy forcing him to get his feet off his desk and get moving.
Larry was passionate about tennis and looked forward to playing with the guys. You know who you are! They will miss his lack of being able to remember the score and his wicked forehand. He continued playing until about a month before his death.
His ultimate love was for fast cars, owning and driving them was legendary. He was a partner in North American Motorsports selling, assembling and racing the cars they built and sold. He loved F1 racing and watching his son-in-law, Dudley Fleck, competing all over the United States at major road racing courses in his Formula Atlantic and Vintage Indy car. Road America and Elkhart Lake, WI remained the family favorite go to place throughout the years. It provided years’ worth of fond memories, even including a family wedding at the Osthoff Resort in between races at the track. And, the love of that little town and racetrack has proudly filtered down to the next generation!
You may have seen Larry speeding up and down First Avenue in his beloved red Ferrari. At one time a car full of young girls cruising the “Ave” too, finally caught up beside him, looked over and yelled in disgust “it’s an old guy”!! He loved that car and many others with all of his heart. The girls referencing his age, not so much.
He eventually was joined on the racetrack by his wife, Susan. They competed against one another with her winning 3 out of 5 races. She always gave him a friendly thumbs up as she passed him sitting in the tall grass waiting for a tow after spinning out. Retirement from racing came very soon after that!
He and Susan were lucky enough to enjoy a second home in Bonita Springs, Fl where Larry could be found most days after playing tennis, relaxing by the pool soaking up some sun. It quickly became his happy place, and he was blessed to have been able to spend most of the winters of his life there.
Larry is survived by his wife of 44 years, Susan, son Chris McCray (Connie), daughter Wendy (Dudley) Fleck. Grandchildren Alex McCray, Zach McCray, Madison McCray, Evan Fleck and Ethan Fleck. Sister Anne (Mike) Hoeper of Davenport, IA, and brother Dr. Paul (Linzee) McCray, Iowa City.
He was preceded in death by his loving parents Paul and Marge McCray, brother David McCray and his beloved Aunt Doris from Norfolk. VA.
Larry would want any donations to be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association. He was diagnosed with this devastating disease a few months before his passing.
A Celebration of Life will be at the Cedar Rapids Country Club between 6-9 on Thursday, July 16th. Larry would have wanted a very casual celebration with tennis attire optional!