Larry Pollett

We were greatly shocked and saddened to lose our dad/grampy/uncle and friend, Larry on April 23.

Larry passed away in perhaps the best way possible – quickly and painlessly on a sunny golf course in Palm Springs. His wife of 61 years, Minnie passed away less than a year ago – and yet Larry continued to live life to the fullest to the very last day.

As we think of the many things we are grateful for, and what Dad taught us – we admire the wonderful life that Larry created.

Larry was the oldest in a My Three Sons family who grew up in Los Angeles. He and his brothers were lovingly considered hell on wheels.

A surfer dude who ran the Huntington Beach pier on a dare, roared around in his beloved ‘57 Corvette, and married a straight-laced Catholic school girl right out of high school.

Deciding that Southern California was not the place to raise their family, Larry and Minnie, along with his parents, Lloyd and Lois Pollett, moved north settling in Custer.

Larry was eager to take on new challenges – he owned a bulldozing company, learned the construction trade, had a working ranch with both horses and cows, and built a successful thoroughbred ranch from the ground up with his father.

Larry made many life-long friends along the way. Putting up hay every summer was one of the highlights for many of us.

First and foremost, Larry believed in his family. He taught all of us the values of hard work, perseverance, the importance of education and embracing the village.

Larry and Minnie had four children who each married: Lisa and Greg, Dennis and Lori, Chris and Greta, and Robin and Jeff. They have 10 grandchildren and six “littles” (great-grandchildren).

Larry and Minnie had an open-door weekly dinner forever. And then there were the holidays, the birthdays, the various celebrations. We truly enjoyed spending time with each other.

Larry had high expectations of his family, wanting the best for each of us, and tried to support and embrace each of our journeys.

From college, to countless sports, to hiking, fishing, reading, to making the rounds and checking on us, Larry was always an engaged participant in all of our lives.

Larry attended every sporting event possible and could always be counted on to vigorously cheer for his kids (and get on umpires when necessary).

Larry got great joy out of watching the next generation grow as the littles would give him great hugs and share their most recent accomplishments.

One of his great-granddaughters decided “when I grow up I want to become an ear doctor to help Grampy’s hearing aids work better.” 

A significant legacy of Larry’s life are the numerous beautiful houses and buildings that he built throughout Whatcom and Skagit counties. He built houses for over 40 years.

The family joke was always when it was time to paint our home, it was time for dad to build a new house and move.

Larry was project manager for many public facilities as well, such as part of the remodel of the Mt. Baker Theater, a fish hatchery, salmon spawning improvements, Ferndale Food Bank and Bridgit Collins House. 

Larry was also a great resource for his kids/grandkids as they became homeowners, from inspecting a newly purchased home to reviewing plans for a big remodeling project.

Larry was a valued member of the construction community, again making many life-long friends. Truly, he was a construction guy at heart. He was proud, smart, clever and a master at problem solving. He drove his big truck to the last day.

Larry was also an engaged member of his community for many years. He worked for the Ferndale School District as maintenance/facility manager for many years through a significant growth period.

Larry was a long-time member and president of Whatcom North Rotary Club whose service to our community continues to be so impactful.

Larry loved to travel as well. From cruises to Tahiti, the Mediterranean, Scandinavia and venturing to China, his Panama Canal trip is still on the books. He even scaled Machu Pichu as a 75-year-old.

Larry made a difference in our world. He made a difference in our community. Most importantly, he and Minnie created a wonderful family that he loved dearly. He valued his friendships, from long time high school friends to his poker and golf buddies to so many dear family friends.

Larry was an amazing example of what a father/grandfather/great-grandfather should be. He will forever hold a special place in our hearts.

A celebration of Larry’s life will be held at the Wood’s Point Club House in Ferndale on June 24 from 3-6 p.m.