Michael Larrabee

Michael D. Larrabee, 69, of Santa Maria passed away Tuesday, April 22, 2003, at his home with his family at his side after a long battle pancreatic cancer. His courage, humor and love of life will remain with his family and friends as a memorial to the extraordinary person that he was.

A memorial service to celebrate Michael's life will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at The First Christian Church, 1550 South College Drive. Pastor Clete Doyal will officiate.

Michael was born Dec. 2, 1933, in Los Angeles and moved to Ventura shortly thereafter. He grew up in Ventura, attending Ventura schools and graduating from Ventura High School in 1952. Mike received a track and field scholarship to the University of Southern California. He received a bachelor's of science degree in geology from USC in 1957, and later a master's degree in engineering geology.

Michael was an All American track and field athlete in the 400 meters. His career included many trophies as High Point Man at USC and as Most Valuable and High Point Man on the Southern California Striders Team after graduation from USC. He was voted Most Valuable Southern California track and Field Man by the Helms Foundation in 1957. He competed in and was Co-Captain of the USA-Russian Track and Field meet held in Los Angeles in 1964, winning the 400 meters. He was a member of the 1964 United States Olympic Team and won Gold Medals in both the 400 meters and the 1600 meter relay. He equaled the world record in his event, and holds the fastest time ever on a clay track. He was voted Southern California Athlete of the Year for his running accomplishments in 1964. He was inducted into the Helms Foundation Sports Hall of Fame. He had a long, distinguished career as an amateur athlete and was a World Class 400 meter runner for many years. He won the Olympic Gold Medals at the age of 30. He leaves many friends in the world of track and field and will be long remembered there.

The Ventura High School stadium was renamed Larrabee Stadium in Michael's honor in 1965, and he was later inducted into the Ventura County Sports Hall of Fame. These two events brought Michael much pride and pleasure, as he always took great pride in Ventura being his hometown. He had many friends and family there and many, many fond memories of his childhood and teenage years growing up there. He attended the last Class Reunion of the Class of 1952, where he happily reunited with many old friends. He always cherished those long-standing friendships from his Ventura High School days and made an effort to stay in touch with his old friends.

Michael and his family moved to Santa Maria in 1968, where he served as general manager of the Larrabee Brothers Distributing Company until his retirement in 2000, when his son Michael Denson Larrabee moved into that post. Michael came to love the town of Santa Maria and the many, many good friends he made there. He has been active as an athlete in his years in Santa Maria and was an active participant in tennis, skiing, backpacking, hiking, mountain climbing and SCUBA diving. He climbed with a group of dear friends on Bishop's Peak or Madonna Mountain every Thursday night and it became one of his most cherished activities. Their support through his long battle with cancer has been wonderful. He raised pack llamas and loved hiking in the Big Sur and the Sierra Nevada Mountains with his llamas and his friends. His life-long love of animals was well-known by his friends. Michael's gentle nature was most evident in how whenever he ever saw an animal hurt or in need, he would always help. He helped sponsor a Llamathon Race for a number of years in Santa Cruz, together with a dear friend, EricHoffman and raised thousands of dollars for medical research.

Michael is survived by his wife of 47 years Margaret Larrabee; children, Tracy Larrabee of Santa Cruz, Lisa Larrabee Duncan and husband Steve of Ojai, and Michael Denson Larrabee and wife Shannon of Santa Maria. Michael always considered his three children as his proudest accomplishments in life. They brought him great honor and great pleasure. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Alec Larrabee Mills of Santa Cruz, Sean Michael Duncan, and Amy Elizabeth Duncan of Ojai; brother Terrance Deams Larrabee of Santa Ynez; sister Bonnie Willoughby of Nipomo; and many nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his father Denson O. Larrabee; and mother Enid Lenore Larrabee.

Michael's family requests that memorials be made to either the Sansum Medical Clinic Oncology Department at P.O. Box 1200, Santa Barbara, 93102, or to the scholarship fund being established by his friends at Ventura High School, The Mike Larrabee Memorial Scholarship Fund at Ventura High School, Att: Rosemary Smith, ASB Finance Office, 2155 East Main Street, Ventura, CA 93001. The office will notify the family of all contributions.

Arrangements are under the direction of Magner-Maloney Funeral home of Santa Maria.