Larry passed away peacefully at home in Mesa AZ with his loving wife, Thea and adult children surrounding him. He was born in Montana and in his youth he played basketball and was very active in school events. After that he enjoyed many different careers throughout his life which included US Air Force/ pilot/staff sergeant, cook, milkman, salesman, road grader operator, dude ranch horseback guide, realtor/broker, small aviations pilot, tropical resort manager, and carpenter/handyman. His hobbies included basketball, waterskiing, boating, hunting, golfing, dancing, RV-ing all over the place, and vacationing at many sunny beach locations. He was stationed in Okinawa, Japan during Korean wartime, then at the base in Las Vegas. He lived in several areas of western Montana for about half his life, moved to Alaska for a couple years before moving onto Hawaii, then finally relocating to Las Vegas shortly before moving to Mesa AZ for the remainder of his life. He joined the Shriners and enjoyed driving the little cars in parades, doing fundraisers for the Shriners Hospital and many local events. One of his big thrills was to impersonate Elvis (outfits & all) at his community dinner/dance each spring, wowing the crowd of his friends with his lip-syncing abilities and stage moves. He always had music playing and was always up for a party and dancing with his lovely wife Thea of 37 years. They had so many great adventures together. He had just shy of 92 years to call this earth his home. He will truly be missed.
He was preceded in death by his parents and only brother, a son, a son-in-law, and a great-grandchild. He is survived by his wife Dorothea (Thea) Stalnaker; children Carlene (& Ben), Paula, Ruthann (& Shawn), Lance (& Deb); his step-children Kent (& Stephanie), Janeen (& friend Glenn), Curt (& Dawn); 14 grandchildren, 6 step-grandchildren, and 23 great-grandchildren (with 2 more on the way).
There will be a community memorial at the Apache Hall in Mesa, AZ on Sunday, March 23, 2025 from 2-4 pm. There will also be a small graveside burial at the family plot in Helena, MT in the summer with military honors. In lieu of flowers, please send any donation to the Shriners Hospital.
Services were taken care of at Mountain Funeral Home and Cemetery, at 7900 E. Main St. in Mesa, Arizona.