Lawrence Henry De Visser

1932 - 2026

Henry Lawrence De Visser was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada on November 26, 1932, to Christian Johannes De Visser and Francine Davis De Visser, the fourth child in a family of seven children. He passed away on January 7, 2026, at his home in Pocatello, Idaho. He attended public schools in Winnipeg and Salt Lake City until the 6th grade when he had to quit school to help provide for his family. At the age of 15, he enlisted in the United States Airforce and served during the Korean War. Upon completion of his military service, he moved to Pocatello, Idaho and married Carol Dee Harris of Blackfoot, Idaho in 1953. They became the parents of three children: Lawrie Ann, Mathew Scott, and Mark David.

Dad never liked his first name, so he went by Lawrence Henry, and most people called him Larry. He began his career as a Warehouseman at RW Frank Company, a building supply business. At the same time, he took the GED for his High School Diploma and enrolled at Idaho State College, now Idaho State University, to earn a degree in business. He completed 3.5 years of night school while working at RW Frank and was then promoted to management, so he turned his focus to his career rather than his education. He worked at RW Frank for 15 years and then started his own wholesale lumber business, WELDCO, Inc. Later he expanded the business to include retail building supplies and purchased Chubbuck Lumber Supply and Rockford Lumber Supply. He owned and operated these businesses until he retired in 1997. He was also heavily involved in commercial and residential real estate development and sales his entire career. At the age of 90 Larry finally received his college degree.

During his life he was actively involved with the Bannock County Association for Retarded Citizens and served as a Board member. He, along with his wife Carol, was the driving force in the development of the Pocatello Independence Home. He was also active in Rotary International and even attended meetings when he traveled abroad.

In addition to activities with his family, Larry enjoyed a variety of outdoor activities, including fishing, boating, water and snow skiing, golf, and hunting. Sun Valley was his favorite ski area and Island Park was his favorite area for everything else. He enjoyed these areas so much that he owned a condo in Sun Valley and a cabin in Island Park. Taking friends and family to the condo and cabin was a highlight for Larry and his family.

Although less active, he was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in scout callings when his sons were young including Cub, Bear and Webelos leader. Larry was a great husband and father. He loved mom and his children deeply. He supported his children in all their pursuits and activities including coaching baseball, football and basketball. He never missed a moment in the lives of his children. He cared deeply for them and was especially concerned in the wellbeing and care of his special-needs daughter Lawrie.

He was preceded in death by his wife Carol. He is survived by his brother Tom Carlisle, his three children, Lawrie Ann De Visser, Mathew Scott De Visser (Jan), and Mark David De Visser. He is also the proud and loving grandfather to seven grandchildren and great-grandfather to thirteen great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 15, at 11 am at Wilks Funeral Home, 211 W. Chubbuck Rd. The family will receive friends and family from 10-10:45 am.

The family would like to give special thanks to Dee Adams, Franco Leon, and Shell and Tenley at Heritage Home Health & Hospice. Matt and Lawrie would like to give special thanks to their brother Mark for diligent and selfless care of their dad for the last 10 years.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his memory to Bannock County Association for Retarded Citizens.

Memories and condolences may be shared by visiting wilksfuneralhomes.com