Lawrence Sark Hagopian

1947 - 2022

Lawrence Sark Hagopian
November 1, 1947 - October 31, 2022
Fresno, California - Lawrence Sark Hagopian passed away from Acute Myelogenous Leukemia on Monday, October 31, 2022, hours shy of his 75th birthday. Larry was born in Fresno, the second son of Harry and Sarah Gejeian Hagopian, on Saturday, November 1, 1947.
He graduated from Roosevelt High School and Fresno Community College. When in high school Larry started mowing lawns and working for his dad and two uncles at Commercial Manufacturing to earn money for his future car, a Corvette, or a Porsche. The Porsche won. At about the same time he also started participating in activities outside school and work, including those of the local jeep club. He explored many back road areas throughout the central valley with the club in his customized jeep, "Bumble Bee". He did much of the customization himself in the family garage and continued working on motors throughout the next 50 years. It was natural for Larry to be found helping at his Uncle Blackie Gejeian's auto races and the Fresno Autorama until 2010 when both Blackie and the Autorama retired.
Larry was active in the Fresno City College Ski Club and then the Fresno Ski Club, eventually becoming a Senior Ski Patroller for the National Ski Patrol. For the next 30 years his home base ski area was China Peak, but he skied many resorts in other states, including Alaska. The medical aspect of being a ski patroller came in handy when Larry served as a medic in the Army National Guard for 7 years.
In 1974-1975 Larry became a member of the Fresno Las Palmas-Ponderosa #366 Masonic Lodge and the Fresno Elks Lodge #439. He consistently maintained his membership in these organizations, although in some years his participation was limited to the annual paying of dues.
Larry met his future wife, Blythe Harrison, in a college ice dancing course taught by the then president of CSU Fresno, Dr. Karl Falk. They never did skate together, but Larry was persistent in asking for dates after the class ended. Five years later, in 1975, they were married.
Throughout his working career Larry held only one paying job, it was with Commercial Manufacturing and lasted for 60 years. He started as the clean-up guy in the shop and worked almost every position in the business until he became president. He and his wife have owned the company since 1983 when they bought it from an investment firm.
The Fresno Philharmonic held Larry enthralled since his father started taking him to concerts as a child. He had been actively involved with the group for several decades, first as a season ticket holder, then as a member of the Board of Directors and finally as President. Although not a musician himself, he had a great passion for music.
Knowing from the start that he was battling an incurable cancer, Larry continued to put one foot in front of the other every day for over 10 years while living life. He went to work daily until his last hospitalization. Despite his sometimes-gruff demeanor, Larry was a loving, giving, and caring person.
Larry is survived by his wife of 48 years, Blythe Harrison Hagopian, his brother Harry Hagopian Jr. (Debbie), his nephews Michael Hagopian (Darlene) and David Hagopian (Theresa) and niece Connie Jenkins (Seth). He is also survived by many loving in-laws and extended family members.
A Graveside Service will be held at the Ararat Armenian Cemetery, 1925 W. Belmont Ave., Fresno, CA, on Thursday, November 17, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. A Memorial Service will follow at St. Paul Armenian Church, 3767 N. First St., Fresno, CA, on November 17, 2022, at 11:30 a.m. Following the Memorial Service, a meal will served in the church hall.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Fresno Philharmonic, 726 W. Barstow Avenue, Suite 106, Fresno, CA 93704
https://fresnophil.org/