Larry Elton Everett was born on Aug. 31, 1943, in Carmel, Calif. Larry left this life on Sept. 15, 2011 with his loved ones and family at his bedside. Larry is survived by his wife Kathy, son and daughter-in law Lantz and Ali Everett, his daughter and son-in-law TJ and Chuck Wright, his two grandsons, John and Greg, and his granddaughter Miranda. Larry is also survived by his cousins Emory “EJ” Hart and Judy (and Cliff) Jimeson.

Larry was raised in Monterey, Calif. He joined the Navy in 1960, at the age of 17, and served until 1966. During his time in the Navy he was an aircraft mechanic. He served on both the USS Yorktown and the Ranger during his military career. He was always grateful for the traditions, discipline and dedication he learned in the military and placed a great value on those principles throughout his life.

He returned to Monterey when he left the Navy and worked for the local water company, Calam Water. He moved to Auburn, Calif. in 1978. In Auburn he worked as a tow truck driver and mechanic and then returned to construction for many years. In 1993, he became a property manager for CBM Property Management. In 1997, he and Kathy went to Irvine, Calif. Both worked for WNC Property Management until 1999, when they moved to Orcas Island. Larry again returned to what he loved: construction. Larry worked for others, but held his own general contractors license and owned his own business, Island Maintenance from 2001 thru 2009, when he retired.

In December of 1996, Larry and Kathy came to Orcas for a visit with his best friend at Christmas time, where they were snowed in for the week. During this vacation, they fell in love with Orcas and the island way of supporting each other (and complete strangers) in times of need. In 1999 they made Orcas Island their home. In 2003, they were married here on Orcas Island at the Inn at Ship Bay.

Larry’s contributions to the community he loved were many. He held the position of Commander of the American Legion Post 93 from 2008 to 2011. Larry’s other passion was for the Orcas Island Sportsmen Club, where he held the position of Vice President for many years.

Larry’s silent and very giving ways will be greatly missed. His family would like to invite his community to join them at his memorial service at the American Legion Post 93, on Sunday, Sept. 25 from 2 to 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, his family asks that you donate to an organization that Larry greatly respected and admired: “The Orcas Island Mercy Flights Fuel Fund.”

Submitted by Larry Everett’s family.