Lawrence "Larry" Azevedo

Lawrence "Larry" Donald Azevedo
October 16, 1932 - January 1, 2017
Lawrence Donald Azevedo, who will be remembered as a husband, father, farmer, coach and friend, died peacefully Jan. 1, 2017 in Boise, Idaho. He was 84.
Larry was born Oct. 16, 1932 and raised by Lawrence Anthony and Ethel Azevedo in Santa Clara, Calif., where he attended high school. He accepted a football scholarship to Santa Clara University, where he was an undersized center and two-way lineman for the Broncos, showing the same grit and determination that served him well throughout his life. As a freshman, Larry traveled by train with his underdog team to the Orange Bowl in Miami, where it upset Kentucky, 21-13. He majored in engineering.
While at Santa Clara, Larry met Joanne Steyskal, a student at San Jose State, and they married in 1953. He discovered his lifelong love for farming at the Steyskal farm in Malin, Ore., and worked the land for more than 40 years in Malin and Macdoel, Calif.
Larry and Joanne had four children: Del (Jana) Azevedo of Klamath Falls, Ore.; Susan (Dennis) Hepner of Woodinville, Wash; David Azevedo (deceased 1993) and Deanna (Don) Shelton of Bothell, Wash.
In 1972, Larry married Gladys Garland (deceased in 2016) and raised three step children: Teresa (Steve) Tonelli of Macdoel, Calif. (deceased 2016); Tim (Patricia) Parker of Fort Morgan, Colo.; Julie (Tracey) Shults of Boise, Idaho.
He will be missed by his seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
After retiring from farming due to illness, Larry moved in the early 1990s with Gladys to Prospect, Ore., where they lived on Lost Creek Lake. They later settled in Nampa, Idaho, and lived in the Treasure Valley for more than 20 years. He was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Caldwell.
Larry had a remarkable work ethic, and he considered farming not only a job but an honorable lifestyle. He always had a wonderful sense of humor and had an infectious laugh. Throughout his life, Larry was an avid hunter, fisherman, bowler and sports enthusiast. He played semipro baseball in the Bay Area, was a lifelong New York Yankees fan and loved college sports, eventually adopting another football team named the Broncos, Boise State. A youth coach for many years, Larry also worked as a referee and volunteered for the California National Guard.
Larry will be remembered as a loyal neighbor and good friend in Butte Valley, Calif., the Treasure Valley and everywhere he lived.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday January 5, 2017 at Flahiff Funeral Chapel, 624 Cleveland Blvd, Caldwell, Idaho. Condolences may be left at www.flahifffuneralchapel.com.