Larry A. Anderson
Lawrence "Larry" Alexander Anderson passed away peacefully on December 17, 2021 at the age of 81 surrounded by his loving family.
Larry was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, and best friend. He was the life of every party and always the best dressed. He enjoyed a good meal, as well as a good glass of tequila. He made life an adventure full of laughter and love.
He was born on February 28, 1940 in Seattle, Washington to his parents, Lowell and Frances Anderson. He was a graduate of Snohomish High School.
Larry was many things to his family and friends, but above all he was a farmer. Larry's love for agriculture began at the age of 8 through a gardening project. When he was 12 years old, he had a dairy 4-H project and from that time on his farming story evolved. In 1960, he moved to Ellensburg. In Ellensburg, he continued to grow and expand his dairy operation. In 1961, he received the Future Farmers of America American Farmer Degree.
In 1983, Larry found there were many opportunities for expansion of his farming operation in Mattawa on the Wahluke slope and his journey continued. He planted row crops, cherry orchards, and potatoes. He eventually grew and exported chip potatoes to South Korea. He also had a feed lot with dairy replacement heifers. His love for the soil and animals never diminished. He always joked that he would like to continue farming America forever. Anderville Farms was his inspiration and dream which he enjoyed creating.
Larry proudly spent most of his life doing what he loved. His farming career taught his family and friends the importance of spending your days doing what is important to you. It also taught his daughters and grandchildren to have a strong work ethic.
Larry was involved throughout the community. He was a member of the Washington State Dairy Commission, served on the Kittitas County Fair Board and the Tri-State Dairy Advertising Board. He also served on the vocational advisory board for the Ellensburg School District and the Mattawa School District. He was a leader of the Westside Dairy 4-H Club for dairy farm kids. His daughters fondly remember their years participating in various activities with their dairy cows. The Andersons were the Washington State Dairy Family of the Year in 1966.
Larry loved sports from participating to being a fan. He snow skied, water skied, and played basketball well into his life. His 1969 Bayliner will always remind his family of water skiing at Vantage. The Seahawks were his team since the beginning of the franchise. He was a proud season ticket holder and he never gave up on them. His family will remember him fondly whenever watching the Seahawks win or lose.
Larry spent the last year of his life with the help of a few incredible caregivers: Joann, Jaimee, Cheyanne, Linnea, and Hillary. They will remember his quick wit and great sense of humor. They all genuinely became very fond of him in short order. They felt it was an honor and a privilege to care for him and call him their friend. His family thanks his caregivers and the Grant County hospice for providing peace and support through his passing.
Preceding him in death were his parents and his grandson, Matias Rocafort. He is survived by his wife Arlein Anderson, of Ellensburg; daughter Deborah Abbott (Mike) of Rowlett, Texas; daughter Colleen Anderson (Russ Belsaas) of Ellensburg; granddaughter Cristin Gray (Mike) of Ellensburg and granddaughter Kelsey Shaver (Crosby) of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; brother Jay Anderson (Bonnie) of Mesa, Arizona and brother Dick Anderson (Diane) of Ngoga, Illinois. He was blessed with two great grandchildren, Cooper and Aspen Gray, whom he loved with all his heart. He also leaves behind many loved nieces, nephews, and friends.
A celebration of life will be held in May.
Memorial contributions in Larry's honor are suggested to the Ellensburg FFA Alumni, 100 W 6th Ave PMB 299, Ellensburg, WA 98926 or to Assured Hospice, 1417 S Pioneer Way, Moses Lake, WA 98837
Johnston & Williams Funeral Home and Crematory of Ellensburg has been entrusted with caring for Larry and his family. Online condolences may be left at www.johnston-williams.com
~~~
My Farm
My farm, to me, is not just land
Where bare, unpainted buildings stand.
To me, my farm is nothing less,
Than all created loveliness.
My farm's a haven...here dwells rest,
security and happiness
What e're befalls the world outside,
Here faith, and hope, and love abide.
And so my farm is not just land,
Where bare, unpainted buildings stand.
To me, my farm is nothing less
Than all God's hoarded loveliness.
~ Anonymous