Larry Paul Kotila

Larry Paul KOTILA Age 58, of Ketchikan, AK, passed away on May 7, 2009, after a short battle with Melanoma. He was born in Michigan on Sept. 4, 1950, to Walter and Gladys Kotila, the oldest of five children.

Growing up in Portland, OR, Larry was mischievous in his youth but was grounded once meeting his future bride, Kathleen Patterson, in 1971. Upon marrying in 1972, Larry and Kathy's adventure started when Larry re-enlisted into the U.S. Coast Guard. Larry loved the journey, challenge and fulfilling career within the military, having lived in AK, WA, OR, WI, MI and Puerto Rico. With moving every 2-3 years, Larry and Kathy provided strong family values and their family grew to include four children. In 1989, Larry was promoted to Chief Warrant Officer (CWO1) and retired as a CWO4 after 29 years of military service.

Larry started his second career with 5 years at Todd Pacific Shipyards in Seattle and 6 years as Vessel Construction Manager at the Alaska Marine Highway System in Ketchikan, AK. Larry was known for his kindness, dedication and honesty, as well as his uncanny ability to remember those he met from his travels.

While not serving his country, Larry was coaching his children on the local sports teams, and later coaching and cheering on his grandchildren from the sidelines. He was known for his frugality, sage wisdom (e.g., "if you can't control it, don't worry about it") and his love of tinkering in the garage, be it on his 1964 GTO or his rumbling F150 that his grandchildren could hear down the block.

Larry will be remembered by friends and family for his constant smile, love of life and, above all, as one of the most selfless people they had ever met.

Larry leaves behind his loving wife of 38 years, Kathy; three daughters and son-in-law: Lisa and Dale Messling, Teresa Esteves, and Jennifer Kotila; son and daughter-in-law Brian and Ahna Kotila; 10 grandchildren: Alisha, Jessica, Kyle, Aiden, Zachary, Cyle, Dylan, Michael, Emma, and Ainsley.

A celebration of Larry's life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, May 15, 2009, at The Bear Room, US Coast Guard Base - Seattle Pier 36, 1519 Alaskan Way S., Seattle, WA 98134. Military Honors will be given in Ketchikan, AK.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in memory of Larry Kotila to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center; contributions will be directed to Melanoma research.