Larry Rue Axtell, age 82, peacefully passed away on July 5, 2023. Larry was born March 14, 1941, to Willard Clay and Aggie Lou (Hermes) Axtell in Council Bluffs. The eldest son of four children, Larry was raised in rural Iowa. His personal ministry began at First Christian Church when he was baptized on his 13th birthday. He graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in 1959. His college education was at Iowa State University, where he studied mathematics. His college continued at Denver University, where he was also a student professor for computer courses. He began his professional life working in insurance until he was selected to learn operation and maintenance of one of the earliest computers in Omaha, Neb. After that time computers and computer programming became his life work. He founded his own company, Comquest, while working as a programmer and systems analyst for other companies in Nebraska and Texas, including Sysco. He married Faye Kathleen Lewis in 1970. He joyously adopted Kathleen’s daughter, Jaki, and they were also blessed with three additional children, Patrick, Jennifer and Heather. He was a faithful member of West End Baptist Church in Industry, Texas.
He was preceded in death by his father, Willard Clay Axtell; brothers, Kirby Axtell and Dennis Axtell; and son, Patrick Axtell.
He is survived by his mother, Aggie Lou Blaziek of Missouri Valley; his twin sister, Gerry Sue Rinella (Salvatore) of Missouri Valley; daughters, Jaki Axtell of Katy, Texas, Heather Godwin (Brad) of Katy, Texas; also many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and multiple nieces and nephews.
Services are scheduled at West End Baptist Church in Industry, Texas, with visitation from 10-noon and funeral at noon.
