Laurel Pollock, 59, of Independence, Missouri and formerly of Grinnell, Iowa, passed away at his home with his family by his side on Monday, December 19, 2022.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 am, Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at the Grinnell Christian Church. A luncheon will follow the service at the Eagles in Grinnell.

Visitation will begin at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, December 27th at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell and his family will receive friends from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital to benefit in his memory and may be mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112. Memories and condolences may be shared with his family at www.smithfh.com.

Laurel was born the son of Harley Lewis and Pauline (Barritt) Pollock on November 25, 1963, in Mercer, Missouri. He was raised in Grinnell, Iowa and graduated from Grinnell High School in 1982.

Laurel was married to Shelly Kester on June 25, 1988, at St Mary's Catholic Church in Grinnell. To this union, they had three children: Kelsey Renee, Alea Lynn, and Bryton Cole. They made their home in Grinnell where Laurel was a driver and sales representative for Grinnell Beverage. He later became a sales representative for JELD-WEN, which transferred him and his family to Kansas City in 2010. The Pollock family was baptized together at Grinnell Christian Church where they were members until they moved.

Laurel was an avid Minnesota Vikings and Twins fan. He also enjoyed playing softball with friends for many years. He was a great artist which came in handy when creating scenery for Shelly's dance recitals. He even made a few appearances on stage with other parents or with his girls - a testament to the fact that he would truly do anything for his family. The grandkids stole his heart, and he loved them more than anything. He took great pride in being "Pop" to Quinn, Noah, and Brock, and was as equally adored by them.

Laurel is survived by his wife, Shelly Pollock of Independence, Missouri; children, Kelsey (Seth) Bryan of Lee's Summit, MO, Alea Slater of Lynnville, Iowa, and Bryton Pollock of Bicester, Oxfordshire; grandkids, Quinn Bryan, Noah Bryan and Brock Slater; mother, Pauline Pollock, of Grinnell, siblings, Kathy Manatt, of Grinnell, Steve (Robin) Pollock of Grinnell, and Bill (Barbie) Pollock of Surprise, AZ; father and mother-in-law, Frank and Patty Kester of Grinnell; sister-in-law, Brenda (Mike) Arment of Grinnell; brother-in-law, Larry Cox of Grinnell; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Harley Lewis Pollock; grandparents, Earl and Leila Pollock and Uarda Barritt and Laurel Barritt; and sister-in-law, Vicky Cox.