July 6, 1933 – April 13, 2024
Larry was born on July 6, 1933 in Salem, Oregon to Gladys (Given) Martin and Cecil Martin of Turner, Oregon. They lived in Turner until the family mill burned to ground in 1939 at which time they moved to Klamath Falls. While living in Klamath Falls, Larry and his mom would take the train to Salem now and then to visit family. One of his mom’s favorite stories was that while on the train he would go up and down the aisle with a deck of cards to see if anybody wanted to play rummy. She also said he was such a talker as a little guy that he would probably end up either a lawyer or auctioneer.
In 1944 Larry’s father was killed in a hunting accident. This unfortunate event forced his mother to return to the Salem area to be near family. Larry attended Parrish and Leslie Junior High Schools and when he went into his freshman year at Salem High he knew everybody! When Larry was in 7th grade his mother bought him an alto saxophone. That purchase played a big part in his life. He played in high school, college and numerous dance bands around the valley for 40+ years. During Larry’s junior high years his mother remarried and his half-brother Edward Gurgurich Jr was born.
Larry worked summers in canneries and graduated from Salem High in 1951. Upon graduation Larry went to work at Ladd & Bush Bank in Salem. After working there for a year he realized banking was not his first choice for a career. He enrolled at Willamette University in the fall of 1952 but had not decided on a major. After a year studying at Willamette he saw an ad in the Selmer music magazine encouraging musicians to consider careers in the Air Force. He auditioned at McCord Air Force Base and was given an acceptance letter indicating if he decided to enlist in the Air Force he would be assigned to an Air Force band after basic training. He enlisted and spent four years in the Air Force including tours in Iceland and Las Vegas providing live music for dances, parades, and concerts. During his spare time in Iceland he ran the photo lab, learned leather tooling, and helped organize and pitched on the base fast pitch softball team. His love of softball continued after returning home and he continued to play in the Salem Softball League. Larry joined the Musician’s Union Local #315 at that time and was president of the union for several years. He played in various dance bands including the Starlighters out of Eugene which accompanied jazz trumpeter Doc Severinsen numerous times when he came back to his “home” state for concerts.
Upon completion of military service Larry enrolled once again at Willamette University earning a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology after changing his major three times! He continued his education at the University of Oregon, earning a two year Master’s degree in Counseling.
Larry started his professional career in 1963 as a rehabilitation counselor with the State of Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation Division. He worked his way up to assistant administrator in charge of client services statewide. After 20 years at Vocational Rehabilitation, he transferred to Mental Health Division where he worked for 14 years in various administrative positions before retiring in 1997.
As a management supervisor for the state he would sit on the negotiating team
across the table from union representatives to address collective bargaining issues. During that same period of time, as president of the musician’s union, he would sit on the union side of the table negotiating working conditions and contractual responsibilities with groups representing live music establishments. He always found it interesting how difficult it was for some people to reach agreement through compromise.
Larry said he considered himself the “luckiest guy in the world” when he and Louise Chappell Woelk eloped to Reno in January 1972! Together they had one son, Chandler. Chandler excelled in baseball which resulted in his playing professionally for the Colorado Rockies from 1995 - 2003. Thus began the annual event of traveling to Tucson for spring training. Many travels around the U.S. following Chandler’s baseball career were enjoyed during those years. Later after retirement in 1997, Larry and Louise began annual RV travel to the Southwestern U.S. to enjoy the winter sunshine. They also made trips to Kauai for 3 weeks each fall, enjoyed time in Egypt, took several trips to Europe, and many cruises including Alaska, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, and the Panama Canal. They also spent time camping at the Oregon coast and at Paulina Lake in Central Oregon. Needless to say they had caught the travel bug early in their marriage and it lasted throughout their time together!
Larry was invited to become a member of South Salem Rotary Club in 1975 and served as president from 1981-82. He was a member for over 32 years. Larry prided himself on achieving lifetime perfect attendance, even while traveling always making up meetings at local Rotary clubs along the way.
Larry loved watching his grandsons, Cash and Cooper, play baseball when he and Louise visited them in Las Vegas where the boys live. Family was always important to Larry and his grandsons were very special to him.
Later in life Larry and Louise spent many hours at Minto Brown Island Park walking their wire fox terriers, Heartbreaker I, II, III and IV, and exploring all the park had to offer. Larry loved being outside whether playing golf, riding bikes, cutting wood, clearing campground trails with his buddy Jim Bone, hiking, working in the yard or sitting on the deck or around the campfire with a Jim Beam and diet Pepsi in hand, Larry was always ready for work or fun.
Larry was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease later in life forcing him to curtail many activities but he still participated in the lives of family and friends. He was a happy, upbeat person with a great sense of humor and quick wit. The world has lost a genuinely nice guy!
Larry is survived by Louise, his wife of 52 years, son Chandler of Las Vegas, grandsons Cash and Cooper and brother Ed Gurgurich of Florida.
Per Larry’s request there will be no services and his remains will be placed at Belcrest Memorial Park.
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