Larry Everett Jarvi, a Raymond resident, died Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, at the Willapa Harbor Hospital in South Bend; he was 79. Larry was born June 27, 1937, in Raymond, Wash., to John and Ida Marie (Haapanen) Jarvi.
Larry was the youngest of seven children and grew up in Firdale, Wash. He was a 1955 graduate of Willapa Valley High School. He looked up to his big brother, George, and followed in his footsteps enlisting in the United States Navy in 1958 until 1962 and became a Navy Reserve until 1964. After an honorable discharge from the Navy he began a career with Weyerhaeuser as a truck driver for 35 years, retiring in 1999. His CB radio handle was “Snoopy” and he loved the snoopy character his friend painted on the side of his log truck.
Larry also loved to go fishing. He and his brother George fished for salmon many years together on the Columbia River. He loved his cats and treated them like they were his children. He enjoyed gardening very much, especially tending to his blackberries so Elaine could make his favorite pies!
Larry was very proud of his daughter Terri and had a lot of love for her. He enjoyed helping her get her garden established when she bought a home of her own, and was very proud of that as well.
In his later years, Larry took up bowling, and bowled in leagues in both South Bend and Montesano. He used to “practice” in the hallway of the house and once put his ball right through the wall.
He was baptized in the Episcopal Church in 2009 and in recent years enjoyed both the Episcopalian, and the Calvary Churches in Raymond. He found the love of his life, Elaine, 17 years ago and these years have been filled with so much love, joy, and laughter. Larry had a gruff exterior, but a heart of gold. He loved pulling pranks on those who were close to him. Larry will be dearly missed.
Surviving Larry are his wife Elaine, sister Edith of Raymond, his daughter Terri Jarvi of Seattle, step daughter Stacey Holmes of Westport, and his step sons Rick and Gary Holmes. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Preceding Larry in death are his brothers John Jarvi, George Jarvi, his sisters Eva Raistakka, Ida May Long and Helen Somero.
Graveside Services will be held at 11 a.m. Jan. 28, 2017, at the Fern Hill Cemetery in Menlo, Wash. Following the inurnment service a luncheon will follow at the Calvary Chapel. Arrangements were in care of Stoller’s Mortuary in Raymond. You may visit www.StollersMortuary.com to leave condolences for the family.