Larry E Whittaker

Larry E. Whittaker, 84, of Bellevue, Washington passed away peacefully on December 1st, 2014. He was born in Toledo, Ohio, one of seven children. He had a tumultuous childhood and first joined the Army at age 16. It was during his second, legal Army enlistment and posting as an MP to Germany that Sgt. Whittaker met, fell in love and married his Frances, an American military dependent from Seattle. With his bride Frances, they traveled from Germany to the states and back again to Germany. Upon his discharge in 1954, they moved first to Ohio, then Florida, Texas and Michigan. Between their many moves they added four children to their family.

In 1962, Larry was transferred to Seattle, Washington. Finally, they were home! Larry worked as a Military Marketing and Service Manager for Sperry/Vickers, Western Gear, Lockheed Shipyards and lastly, Pacific Car and Foundry until his retirement in 1985. Despite traveling a lot for his job, Larry and Frances designed and with the help of their children, built a family ski chalet. After retirement, Larry and Fran enjoyed trips to Maui, traveling in their small RV and cruises.

Larry was preceded in death by his beloved wife Frances, son Blake Whittaker, son-in-law Bruce Thorsland, brothers Thomas, Robert and Edward Whittaker and sister Almina Rodgers. He is survived by two sisters Mary Lou Layton and Nancy A. Carlson, daughters Kathryn Thorsland, Christine (husband Terry) Rose and son Stuart (wife Susan) Whittaker, daughter-in-law Laura Whittaker; as well as six grandchildren: Kelsey, Meredith and Hillary Whittaker, Erin and Shane Whittaker and Andrew Thorsland.

In his later years Larry still enjoyed traveling in his RV, listening to audio books and was the tech guru of his family. He enjoyed nothing more than buying and using the newest electronic devices. He will be greatly missed.