Larry E. Tierney, 68 of Naples, Fla. and formerly of Decorah, passed away Feb. 17, 2017, after a long illness at his residence in Naples, Fla. A service for family and friends is at a later date at St. Benedict Catholic Church, with burial at St. Benedict Catholic Cemetery in Decorah.

Larry E. Tierney was born March 19, 1948, in Decorah, to Norbert and Elizabeth Jo Tierney. Larry graduated from Decorah Senior High School in 1966, then furthered his education at Brown Institute of Broadcasting in Minneapolis, Minn., where he earned a degree in broadcasting. Larry’s first job was working for KRVN Radio in Lexington, Neb. as an on-air personality and sports announcer. In 1970, Larry was hired as an account executive and on-air personality for WMT Television in Cedar Rapids. In 1975, Larry opened and operated V&S Variety store in Decorah, until accepting a position with the National Association of Broadcasters as a regional sales representative in 1979. In 1983, Larry became the vice president of membership for the National Association of Broadcasters in Washington, D.C. Larry moved to Naples, Fla. in 1985 to become the senior vice president of operations for US Jet Sales. After 10 years in that role, Larry created and served as CEO of the International Jet Service Group in Naples, Fla. Larry’s company specialized in general aviation sales, commercial airline transport and helicopter operations and sales. Larry had a love for flying and spent many summers giving rides in his red Willie 2 bi-plane around Decorah. Larry loved being a pilot and his vast knowledge of general aviation aircraft was well known, industry-wide. Larry will be missed by family, friends and his flying buddies worldwide.

Larry is survived by his brother, David (Darci) Tierney; nephew, Garett; and niece, Kylie Tierney.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Norbert and Jo Tierney, of Decorah, in 2013.