Larry Robert Bird

Larry Robert Bird

January 17, 1948 – January 12, 2026

If you knew Larry, you know there are not enough words to fully capture who he was or what he meant to his family and friends. If you did not know him, that's a surprise, because Larry was a friend to everyone.

Born on January 17, 1948, in North Bend, Oregon, Larry lived a life centered on and surrounded by family and friends. More than anything he did, built, or achieved, the people closest to him were his greatest joy.

His early years were spent with his parents, Patricia and Robert, and his brother, Gary, in Oregon and logging communities in and around Humboldt County. Lessons about hard work, resilience, and connection to family and community were lasting gifts from this chapter of his life.

As he moved into grade school, the family settled in Eureka. It was there that many of his most important friendships were formed and where countless stories of athletic prowess and mischief with his brother Gary took place.

Gary and Larry were best friends, as tight as two brothers could be. They shared days fishing, biking, and playing every sport that involved a ball, roaming around town until the streetlights came on. When they weren't running Eureka, Larry and Gary spent memorable time with family waterskiing, fishing, and camping at Clear Lake, Lake Shasta, and beyond.

During high school, Larry was a standout athlete and leader at Eureka High School. He loved sharing stories, always in vivid detail, about his baseball success and his ability to score from anywhere on the basketball court. He was proud of his jump shot and was the original Larry Bird. These legendary stories were backed up by the stat sheet. He was an all league performer and was voted Outstanding Athlete at Eureka High School his senior year. But what he treasured most about sports were the experiences with teammates and coaches and the lifelong friendships that came from competing together.

Following high school and time at College of the Redwoods, Larry enlisted in the Army, where his athletic ability and leadership again set him apart. He graduated as the top recruit in his class and earned the opportunity to have some say in his assignment. The path he chose led him back to Eureka, where golf and his mission of inspecting seafood and other provisions for the military became uniquely intertwined. His Army experience was both unusual and formative, leaving him with deep respect for veterans and a strong love for his country.

The next and most important chapter of Larry's life began when he met and married his wife, Gina, starting a partnership that would span 48 years. They were the right match. Larry's energy, impatience, and constant motion were balanced perfectly by Gina's steadiness and perspective. They grew together, building a life rooted in family and shared experience. Eventually, they left Eureka and moved to Elk Grove to further Larry's career as a leader and successful entrepreneur in the insurance and benefits

management industry.

In Elk Grove, they raised their children, Katie (Mark), Matt (Korrie), Kristin (Jeff), and Kevin (Genet), and became deeply involved in their community. Larry and Gina were active, supportive, and encouraging in everything their kids did. Nearly every day brought a phone call, a checkin, a story, or a question about what was happening in their lives. Larry knew the details, followed their progress, celebrated their wins with genuine pride, and helped them grow through their challenges.

As their children began building lives of their own, Larry and Gina leaned into a new season together. They traveled more, spent years RVing, and especially loved their time in Gold Beach, Oregon, where they eventually traded the RV for a cabin on the Rogue

River. As usual, Larry made friends easily and became the unofficial mayor of the park along the river. He loved fishing the Rogue, though Gina proudly holds the distinction of catching the biggest salmon during their years there. Later, they split their time between

Gold Beach and Phoenix, adding more friendships, plenty of golf, and yet another community where Larry felt right at home.

Larry is survived by his wife, Gina; his children, Katie, Matt, Kristin, and Kevin; 13 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and numerous friends across the West.