Representative Michael R. Lura View All Years

MICHAEL R. “MICK” LURA

Michael R. “Mick” Lura was born on August 24, 1948, in Marshalltown to Geahard R. and Opal M. Herbert Lura. He passed away on May 4, 2004, at the age of fifty-five. He is survived by his wife Susan of Las Vegas, Nevada; daughters Jessica and Jillian and son Jason all of Las Vegas; son Jacob of Starkville, Mississippi; his mother Opal Herbert of Marshalltown, Iowa; and his sister Susan G. Wall of West Des Moines, Iowa.

Lura graduated from Marshalltown High School in 1966 and attended Columbus College in Columbus, Georgia, graduating cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Lura was united in marriage with Susan Revell in 1967. He served in the U.S. Army for four years, including a tour of duty in Vietnam.

Lura was an accountant, auditor, and computer systems designer. He was an early official of the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission. He was a deputy director of the Gaming Commission in the state of Mississippi. At the time of his death, he was assistant controller of the Flamingo Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

Lura was active in conservative GOP politics in Iowa. He served as a Republican precinct committeeman, and in 1977 and 1978, he was the financial chair for the Marshall County Republican party. Lura was elected to the Iowa House in 1978 and to the Iowa Senate in 1980. He ran Ronald Reagan’s presidential campaign in the state of Iowa in 1980.

Lura was an active member of his community. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club and the American Legion, and he was an instructor of adult education programs. He was a member and former financial secretary of Hope United Methodist Church.

Lura was a Marshall County Republican. He served two years in the House from 1979 to 1980 during the 68th General Assembly and served three years in the Senate from 1981 to 1983 during the 69th and the first half of the 70th General Assemblies.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE EIGHTY-FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF IOWA: That in the passing of the Honorable Michael R. “Mick” Lura, the State has lost an honored citizen and faithful and useful public servant, and that the Senate by this resolution expresses its appreciation of his service to the State and tenders its sympathy and kindest regards to the members of his family.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That a copy of this resolution be spread upon the Journal of the Senate and that the Secretary of the Senate be instructed to forward an enrolled copy to the family of the deceased.

LARRY MCKIBBEN

DENNIS H. BLACK

JOHN PUTNEY

Committee