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Melby, Larry
born May 2nd, 1944 passed away in a tragic accident on October 16th, 2012 while saving his dog from the railroad tracks near his home in La Conchita, California. Larry was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, attended Brophy College Preparatory School, and received his degree in Business Administration at Arizona State University. He spent 28 years in commercial real estate as a consultant and broker, both on the corporate side with Motorola and individually with Tom Fannin Realty. In 1990, looking for change, Larry moved to California and founded a day labor business. His business began initially as a franchise, and then went on to become an independent practice owned and operated by Larry himself. He brought ethical and compassionate working conditions to day labor business throughout southern California.
While in California, Larry become very active in small business issues. He served on the White House Conference for Small Businesses in 1995 and was active in the National Small Business Association. In 2002, Larry chose to sell his company and retire to move to the woods in Boulder Creek, California.
The call of the ocean was too great for Larry, and he moved from Boulder Creek back down to the Carpenteria area of California, where he had spent most of his time since moving. He then set out to become a certified Reality Based Coach. This led him to work with people like himself, people who genuinely cared for others, to rescue those in need of their help. Larry consistently demonstrated his compassion for people, animals, and all things throughout his life. It was so fitting that he gave his life while saving his beloved dog, a joy who he had rescued from the desert once before.
He is survived by his Mother, Flossie Melby, his brother, Michael Melby, his daughter Kim Melby Whelan, her husband Chris and his three grandchildren, Justine, Bart and Anna. We lovingly remember the soul of Larry Melby, as well as those of his sister Leanne, brother Mark, and father Earl.
Memorial services are being planned for both Phoenix and the Santa Barbara area. Gifts in lieu of flowers should go to Hearts Therapeutic Riding of Santa Barbara.
Published in The Arizona Republic on Oct. 28, 2012
