Larry Eugene Ivory

LOVE IS PATIENT, LOVE IS KIND.

Love is the greatest and most important of all qualities. If we speak in tongues, possess insightful prophetic knowledge, have faith strong enough to move mountains, or give away all our possessions, they are pointless without Love. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you (John 15:12).

Larry Eugene Ivory was born to Hoover and Gladys Ivory at Craig Air Force base, four miles southwest of Selma, Alabama on November 19th, 1954. He was the third (3rd) of seven (7) children.

Larry moved with his family from Cleveland, OH to Portland, OR in October 1969. He attended both Thomas Jefferson and Ulysses S. Grant High schools. Larry enlisted in the US Navy at the age of seventeen. He used his brother Marshall’s birthday to enlist. Both shared the same birthday, exactly a year apart in age. Larry’s military service was during the Vietnam War. Larry’s rating was Captain’s Steward. Our family agrees with our cousin Cynthia when she wrote “. . .Thank you Larry for being a MILITARY VETERAN “FREEDOM ISN’T FREE. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR SACRIFICE.”

Larry was previously married to Gail Thompson on January 20th, 1979, with whom he shared one child, Julian Eugene Ivory.

Larry married again to Alma Brown on March 3rd, 2006, and they shared over twenty wonderful years of marriage and welcoming (Michelle and James) as part of his family.

After leaving the US Navy, Larry moved to Eugene, OR where he attended Lane CC and worked at Bohemia Lumber Company. Larry also worked at Coast Janitorial Service and joined the group Pleasure as an equipment manager. Larry enjoyed cooking and worked as a chef from time to time. He loved listening to music, especially Jazz. Larry named his son after renowned American jazz alto saxophonist Julian Edwin “Cannonball” Adderly. Larry was always ready for a road trip, he enjoyed driving and listening to his music and eventually became the entrepreneur of a car ride service. Larry and Alma moved to Lincoln City, OR in 2016 and returned to Portland, OR in 2021.

Family and friends describe Larry as a loving brother who would give you the shirt off his back. Larry loved his family and enjoyed spending time with his people (as he would say). Larry was a giving, kind- and good-hearted person. He enjoyed spending time with children and told the most amazing stories to them. He was generous sharing his advice and positive outlook on life to others. Being human, Larry had a temper that would go from zero (0) to one hundred (100) quickly and just as quickly he would apologize for his outbursts.

Larry Eugene Ivory, 71, of Portland, OR passed unexpectedly on May 15th, 2026. We are completely devastated by Larry’s death, and he will be greatly missed.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents Hoover and Gladys Ivory.

Larry leaves to cherish his memory, Alma Ivory (wife), Julian Ivory (son), Michelle West (stepdaughter), James Wright (stepson), Marshall Ivory (brother), Gregory Ivory (brother), Shirley Stevens (sister), Sandra Ivory (sister), Eunice Ivory (sister), Robin Bolds (sister). Five grandchildren - Azaesha, Jazmyne, Jacquelynn, Stephanee and Nathaniel. Three great grandchildren - Mahlik, Legend and Rylee and a host of family and friends.

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it (Proverbs 4:23).

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