Larry Gene Rhoden

1946 - 2012

Larry passed away peacefully with family at his side in the early morning of April 20th, 2012 at Kittitas Valley Community Hospital.
Born in Seattle on November 24th, 1946 Larry spent his youthful years moving back and forth between Washington and Florida. He was a very resourceful young man who was able to find work wherever it was available, and he did everything from wrangling horses to waiting tables to support himself.
When he was 13 years old he met the love of his life, Peggy Winkle. She was the cutest thing he'd ever seen, and well worth the long wait to marry, which they did on March 16th, 1965 in Burien, Washington. Before they knew it they were raising four children, and again Larry found whatever work he could until settling into the career that suited him well. He got a job operating heavy equipment in power line construction and worked out of Local 77 for 30 years until an accident forced him to retire.
In 1985 he moved his family to Ellensburg, and after the first few years was able to buy some property and start the ranch he'd always dreamed of having. That was where he was truly happy, and even more so when he was able to share it with the grandkids that came. His family was everything to him, and if any of them had a need he'd always fill it generously if he could.
Larry loved to hunt and fish…and talk! One of the most colorful storytellers you were ever likely to meet, his booming voice would command the attention of everyone in the room and soon have them rolling in laughter. He also loved old cars and spent many happy hours finding, buying and working on them.
Larry was preceded in death by his mother, Betty Lorraine Rhoden and father, Norward "Bill" Rhoden.
He is survived by his wife Peggy: sons Sean, Shane (Heidi) and Scott (Estelle) Rhoden; daughter Stacey (Gary) Bond; grandsons Scott, Johnny and Justin Rhoden; granddaughters Dacia Cruz, Scire´ Green and Alina Rhoden; great grandchildren Azias and Loren; brothers Orville and Ronny Rhoden, and sisters Rene´ McCreery and Lori King.
A memorial service for Larry will be held on Sunday May 6th at 3:30 p.m. at Hal Holmes Community Center, 209 North Ruby Ellensburg, WA. Brookside Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.