Larry Earl

Longtime Moses Lake resident Larry Earl passed away Thursday, Feb. 15, 2007, of natural causes. Larry was born Oct. 23, 1924, in Bunkerville, Nev., being the third child of Kenneth Earl and Vertie Ann Leavitt. He spent his childhood and school years in Bunkerville, graduating from high school at age 17 in 1942. He was active in high school sports, playing but never the star of the teams. His family moved to Meridian, Idaho in 1942 where he farmed with his father until being drafted into the army in May 1946. He trained in California, Utah and Oklahoma before shipping out to Europe. He saw action in France, Germany, Belgium and Czechoslovakia, mainly in the rear lines shooting big guns. After the war he returned to Boise where he married Renee Burnett. They were married April 12, 1949, in the Latter day-Saints Idaho Falls Temple. Larry had a dairy farm in Meridian with his father until it was sold in 1955. At that time the family moved to Moses Lake where he resided until his death. He worked a variety of jobs until settling in at Carnation/Nestle for 20 years. The Earls had an acreage in Cascade Valley where they raised cattle, pigs, chickens and a large garden. Larry was a dedicated member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served faithfully in a variety of church callings including positions with the elders, seventy and high priests. He and Renee served two church missions in their later years to the Philippines and Pennsylvania. He served nine years in the Seattle Latter day-Saints Temple and three years in the Columbia River Temple. He took great pride in his family and their activities. All seven of his children served Latter day-Saints church missions. Larry was preceded in death by his wife Renee.

He is survived by his children Wayne and Evonne of Caldwell, Idaho, Connie of Castro Valley, Calif., Glen and Kathy of Plano, Texas, Steve and Holly of Victorville, Calif., Jerald and Suzanne of Vancouver, Wash., Gary and Christina of Port Orchard, Wash. and Kevin and Karen of Moses Lake. He is also survived by 20 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

A viewing will be held Wednesday evening at Benson's Funeral Chapel at Fifth and Division from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. where friends may call. Funeral services will be held Thursday, Feb. 22 at the Latter day-Saints chapel on Grape Drive at 10 a.m. Friends may also call from 9 a.m. until 9:45 a.m. at the Relief Society room. Interment will be at Pioneer Memorial Gardens. Arrangements are in care of Benson Family Funeral Services.