Larry Alan Westwood

Larry Alan Westwood, aged 59, left us on Friday, December 17th, 2021. Larry did not want to leave us, and he fought with all his might to stay. Some things are just too much even for the strongest of men. We can take some solace that Larry left us an eternal legacy of deep and abiding love, never ending humor, profound generosity of self and spirit, indefatigable strength, unending patience, boundless inquisitiveness, and beautiful grace. Our hearts are broken, and we cannot begin to imagine a life without him. We are so grateful for the gift of "Larry" that he brought to our lives and to the countless lives of those he met on his journey of 59 years.
Larry was born on February 15, 1962 in Juneau, Alaska to Robert Lyle Westwood and Corrine Ruth Westwood (née Saathoff). Larry was preceded in death by his mother Corrine; he leaves behind his soulmate Deborah, stepchildren Caroline and Jonathon O'Grady who adored him, brother Lyle Westwood, sisters Debbie Allen and Donna Elsworth, his father Robert Westwood, 5 nieces and nephews, and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews. He also leaves behind his beloved "fur kids": French bulldogs Dexter, Carrie, and Petunia, his totally devoted cat Patches, and his "grandkitty" Indio.
After leaving Yakutat, Alaska, Larry's family lived in several communities in southeastern Nebraska, including Wymore, Beatrice, and Harvard, before settling in Stockton, California in 1968. In Stockton, Larry attended Village Oaks Elementary School, Stockton Junior High School, and Amos Alonzo Stagg High School. Larry faced a rocky road in his youth, but with his characteristic energy, determination, deep sense of curiosity, and unflinching sense of right and wrong, he was able to forge his own pathway. Larry was an avid reader, and enjoyed playing soccer, baseball, and riding his motorcycle in his late teens. He was also a deceptively outstanding pool player and separated many of his frustrated elders from their cash at local pool halls. Larry's interest in golf came later, but his passion for photography began in his adolescence. Larry was always up for doing something, especially something new. He was a great friend, loyal, caring, and committed.
Larry joined the United States Air Force in 1980 at the age of 18 and spent the next 26 years serving his country as an In-flight Refueler (Boom Operator), which allowed him to live in and visit numerous countries all around the globe, touching the lives of both Airmen and civilians along the way. While stateside in the Air Force, Larry was primarily based at Castle Air Force Base and then at Beale Air Force Base, both in California. When he had the chance, Larry went overseas and was stationed for years in the late 1980's in Okinawa, Japan, and Mildenhall, England in the 1990's, before finishing his Air Force career at Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane. During his time in England, Larry attended university and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology in 1997 from the University of Maryland. In England Larry also continued playing soccer, initially for base teams, but then with a local English team while he was stationed there. His time with his English football mates, both on and off the pitch, was truly dear to Larry. Being stationed overseas and Temporary Duty Assignments (TDYs) allowed Larry to follow his curiosity and explore the geography, sites, foods, and cultures of places all over the world. While in England, Larry met Amanda Pocklington and they were married in 1993. They enjoyed several years together but were divorced in 2002.
Larry retired from the Air Force with the rank of Master Sergeant in 2006 and he married the love of his life Deborah Lang on July 15, 2006 in Spokane – just two weeks later. He was fond of joking that he had two whole weeks of freedom between Air Force life and married life.
Larry pursued his many hobbies, especially golf and photography, with incredibly passionate dedication. He leaves behind a massive body of landscape and wildlife photography that will soon be shared with the world. Larry and Deborah spent three wonderful weeks in Kenya just 3 months before he died, and he had upcoming photography trips booked in Rwanda, Brazil, and the Badlands of South Dakota to photograph gorillas, panthers, and other beautiful things.
In Larry's own inimitable way, he would tell you he "died" on October 17, 2016 -which was his way of opening the story of his beating remarkably long odds and not only surviving Sudden Cardiac Arrest but living the next five years with no impairments. It truly was a miracle that gave us the gift of five years with Larry. We treasure every moment we had the blessing of having him in all of our lives.
Rest in peace and power, my love.
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