Larry L. McGuire

Keith & Keith Funeral Home

Larry L. McGuire was born March 10th, 1933 in Pender, Nebraska to Melvin & Alvina McGuire. He passed away at age 80 on May 22nd, 2013 with family at his side at Yakima’s Cottage in the Meadow.

His parents and 7 sons moved from their Pender, Nebraska farm to Chehalis, WA when he was 10 years old. There he attended school and had after school jobs such as a shoe shine boy, bell hop at the St. Helens Hotel, and working at Vern Betts Mobile gas station. The McGuire boys were well known all over town to not be messed with, or you may have to deal with all the brothers!

Larry met the love of his life Helen Bennett in 7th grade when they were only 12 years old. They married at age 18 on November 17th, 1951 in a Lutheran church in Chehalis, WA. In 1951 Yakima became their lifelong home where they had their three children, Mark, Kent, and Mona. Larry was 17 when he started working at the newly started McGuire Lumber Yard on 1st Street. He loved working at the lumber yard, helping customers, doing bids, buying and selling materials where he made countless friends. The slogan “The Wise Buyer Sees McGuire” was seen on delivery trucks traveling all over the Yakima Valley and surrounding areas. Rahier trucking was later part of the family business and several of the brothers and family worked the trucking line as well at the Lumber yard which provided jobs for many. Larry was President of the Lumber Company and happily served in the family business along side his brothers, and other family members.

During the first few years living in Yakima, the McGuire boys and their father Mel were also active members of the Yakima County Sheriff’s Posse. Each son rode a beautiful Palomino horse and participated in many parades and events over the years. Larry also enjoyed riding cutting horses, and raising quality Quarter horses. He relaxed on the weekends by working outside on his 10 acre farm in West Valley. He took pride in keeping the farm in “show place” order for he was a hard worker. White painted fences, mowed pastures and 5 acres of hay were always taken care of. Larry and Helen built 4 homes in Yakima with the last one on Zier road. He loved a good barn and here is where he built his “dream barn”. After retiring from 43 years at the Lumber yard he built his “dream shop” where he made many fine crafted wood items and loved to give them away to family and friends. Many Black Walnut and Oak picture frames were given away in love.

Larry was known to be generous in his life helping those in need. He was a regular donor at Red Cross. He enjoyed being a supporter at the West Valley Fair and Livestock Auction where he bought many Grand Champion animals over the years. He enjoyed a farm full of horses, sheep, chickens and a special dog named Buddy Larry enjoyed planting a garden of corn and growing watermelons and zucchini to enter in the CWSF. Larry and Helen enjoyed taking trips to Hawaii and Las Vegas watching shows and pulling the slots. There were many great memories and a lot of good card games with close friends Jack and Charlotte Wegener, and Jim and Billy Longmire. They also enjoyed many trips to their cabin at Andy Creek by Rimrock Lake. Larry had a great sense of humor and a positive outlook on life. He usually had a smile on his face and would easily laugh.

Larry and Helen attended Mt. Olive Lutheran Church for many years. The last several years brought on health issues and he was lovingly taken care of at home by his wife Helen of 61 years of marriage.

Larry is survived by his loving wife Helen, and three children, Mark McGuire, Kent (Kandy) McGuire, Mona (Randy) Purcell who all live in Yakima. Along with 10 grandchildren; Marcy, Jill, Patrick, Matt, Sari, Joey, Seth, LeAnn, Rachel, and Cheryl there are also 17 great grandchildren; Kyle, Garet, Gavin, Samantha, Ellie, Brooklynn, Max, Samuel, Mason, Karly, Layla, Lola, Valerie, Nataley, Dylan, Lily, and Daniel. He is survived by brother’s Jack, Merlin, and Denny, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Melvin and Alvina, brothers Richard, Bob, and Dale. Larry was a loving husband, dad, grandfather, brother, and friend, and will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the Cottage in the Meadow or American Heart Association.

Viewing will be held Thursday May 30, 2013 at Keith & Keith Funeral Home from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 AM Friday May 31, 2013 in the Yakima Alliance Church, located at 902 S. 36th Avenue. Concluding services and burial will follow in the West Hills Memorial Park. To share a memory of Larry please visit www.keithandkeith.com