Jerry Frank LaRue Jr

In Loving Memory of Jerry Frank LaRue Jr (Bubba)

It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of (Bubba) Jerry Frank LaRue JR, of Des Moines, Iowa, who passed away on September 5, 2026, at the age of 44. He was preceded in death by his mother Glendine "Miller" LaRue, his brother Jeremy LaRue, his sister Heather LaRue and his niece and nephew Karson and Nova Burton.

He was a beloved husband, loving father, supportive son, go-to-brother, devoted uncle, and caring friend whose life was defined by love, faith, kindness, and an unwavering affection to his family.

To know him was to feel welcomed. He had a gift for making everyone around him feel like family, whether they had known him for years or had just met him. He could bring a smile to anyone's face, and his warmth and genuine love for others left an impression that will never be forgotten. No matter how people knew him or what perspective they knew him from, one thing remained the same: there was never anything bad to say about him.

He was a devoted Christian who carried his faith with him in the way he lived his life. He believed in loving others, putting people first, and making sure those around him knew they were cared for. His faith was not simply something he talked about, it was something he showed through his actions, his compassion, and the way he treated everyone he encountered.

Family was the center of his world. Before becoming a father to his only child, he already loved each of his nieces and nephews as though they were his own. He made every one of them feel special, valued, and loved. He was the kind of uncle who showed up, brought laughter, and made sure each child knew they had someone in their corner. And when he became a father, that love only grew deeper.

He was immensely proud of his family and never missed an opportunity to remind them how much they meant to him. He always put others before himself and made it his mission to make sure the people he loved knew they were loved. His family truly was his everything.

He was much like his beloved mother; carrying many of the same qualities of love, warmth, strength, and compassion that made her so special to him. He carried that legacy with pride and made his family incredibly proud of the man he became.

A proud Iowan, he had a special love for the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Dallas Cowboys, passions he enjoyed sharing with the people around him. But beyond the teams he cheered for and the memories he made, what people will remember most is the way he made them feel: welcomed, appreciated, loved, and part of something bigger than themselves.

Though his life was far too short, the love he gave was anything but small. His laughter, his smile, his faith, his generosity, and the countless lives he touched will continue through his family and everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

He leaves behind his heart with his son Jerry Frank LaRue III; his wife Aracely LaRue; Father Jerry Frank LaRue Sr; Sisters Chasity Demaranville, Joy Higdon, Stacey (Gordon) Biegger; nieces and nephews Kaylynn (Tim) Ruhnke, John Tyler, Katheryn (Dakota) and Kody Demaranville, Seth Jr., Allie, Allen, Noah and Cayden Higdon, Alexis (Santos) Carballo, Alexander (Emily) Biegger, Abby, Justin, Grace and Liam Biegger; great nieces and nephews Ellie and Olivia Ruhnke, Grayson Burton, and Lucious, and Athena Biegger, Various nieces and nephews and other family on wife's side, extended family, and countless friends who will carry his memory in their hearts. While the pain of losing him is immeasurable, so too is the gratitude for having been loved by him.

His life was a gift.
His faith was an example.
His love was his legacy. He made everyone feel like family, and now his family will carry his love forward forever.

May he rest peacefully in the arms of the Lord of whom he faithfully served. May God, The Father welcome him into His Paradise knowing that he was deeply loved and that he made this world a better place simply by being in it.