Larry TARBERT

1940 - 2018

TARBERT, Larry

Larry Tarbert passed away Saturday, August 4th, 2018. Larry, a longtime resident of Kettle Falls, was born to Lawrence and Irene (Cress) Tarbert in Spokane, WA, on March 20th, 1940.
Larry grew up in the Wilmont Creek area where he and his younger sister Linda attended school at Rogers Bar School. Larry started working with his father and grandfather in the logging industry at an early age. He began driving log truck at only ten years of age. In 1952, the family moved to the Turk Road area of Fruitland where he attended Columbia High School at Hunters and graduated in 1958. In 1959, he enlisted in the US Army and spent two years stationed in Germany. Upon his return from Germany in 1961, he met the love of his life - his sister's college roommate - Patsy "Pat" Curry. Larry worked at the Lincoln Mill for a short time before joining his father and grandfather with the family logging business that had been established in the early 1900s.
In 1962, Larry married Pat in Ione, WA. The next year saw the birth of their first child, Richard "Rick" Tarbert. The family moved several times in the next couple of years, living in Fruitland, Twin Lakes, Chewelah, and Wilmont Creek. They stayed in the Wilmont Creek area for a time where, in 1965, their second and final child, Dennis Tarbert, was born. In 1966, the family settled permanently in the Kettle Falls area.
Following his father's death in 1973, Larry sold the logging operation and focused on trucking, hauling logs, chips and fertilizer. His son, Rick, joined him driving truck in 1983. In 1986, a scarcity of available trucking jobs had Larry entering back into the logging industry, eventually creating Tarbert Logging Incorporated. Over the years, Larry expanded and grew his logging business. In 1999, Larry and Rick began running two operational sides. Larry would spend the rest of his life working in the logging industry.
Larry lived to work. Even on weekends and holidays, one could find Larry working in the shop, plowing roads, or repairing equipment. He was an avid dog lover and in his down time enjoyed relaxing on the sofa with his beloved dog, Jack, watching westerns. He was a down-to-earth, hardworking man who passed his work ethic down to his children and grandchildren. He was also a strong supporter of the National Rifle Association (NRA).
Larry is survived by his wife Pat; children Richard Tarbert and wife Laura of Kettle Falls, WA, and Dennis Tarbert and wife Julie of Wenatchee, WA; sister Linda Larson and husband Don of Fruitland, WA; grandchildren Valerie Garrison and husband Josh of Helen, GA; Christopher Cismowski and wife Jackie of Olympia, WA; Cat Kroiss and husband Mike of Kettle Falls, WA; Joshua Hauff of Wenatchee, WA; and Miranda Hauff of Wenatchee, WA; and great-grandchildren Derrick Kroiss, Colby Kroiss, Alison Markham, Curtis Markham, Hazel Garrison, Leah Hauff and Noah Walker.
A celebration of life will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 8th, 2018 at the Tarbert shop at 1186 W. Old Kettle Road, Kettle Falls, WA. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial donation to the Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery or Becky's Best Buddies Pet Placement and Rescue.