William Bancroft

1939 - 2023

William Lawrence

Larry Bancroft

01/13/1939 - 04/11/2023

Larry Bancroft of Grass Valley, California, passed away at his home with family nearby, on April 11, 2023, at the age of 84.

Larry was born January 13, 1939, to his loving parents, Mary and William Bancroft in Ottawa, Kansas.

As he grew up, Larry developed a keen interest in nature encouraged by his mother and Boy Scout troop, and he became an Eagle Scout. His love of music led him to become an accomplished pianist and clarinetist. His favorite sport was tennis which he played for many years. Larry graduated from Ottawa High School in 1957.

Larry attended the University of Kansas where he enrolled in NROTC (Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps). He received a B.A. in Zoology in 1961, as well as his U.S. Navy commission. He met Jeanette Kay Vail at K.U. and they were married before he reported for duty aboard the destroyer, USS Turner Joy, based in Long Beach, California.

After two years, LTJG Larry resigned from the Navy and began graduate study at the University of Kansas. He received his M.A. in Zoology in 1966. His daughter, Mary Michelle Bancroft, was born during this time. Larry also had post -graduate study in ecology at Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado.

Larry devoted 34 years to the National Park Service. He worked in Rocky Mountain National Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Grand Canyon, Blue Ridge Parkway, Everglades National Park, and Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Parks. His son, William Mark Bancroft, was born while at the Blue Ridge Parkway.

In 1977 Larry was selected to be the Chief of Science and Natural Resources in Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Parks. He oversaw the protection and health of the forests, fish and wildlife, caves, and water and air quality. Larry developed the park's first Fire Management Plan which helped save most of the Giant Sequoias that were threatened during the recent wildfires. He received numerous awards for his outstanding achievements in the Western Region and the entire National Park Service.

Upon retirement, Larry and Kay moved to Central Oregon and lived in Sunriver and Bend for 16 years where they enjoyed bicycling, hiking, and skiing, and expanding their genealogical research. They joined the First Presbyterian Church of Bend and sought to deepen their spirituality by studying the Enneagram, reading books by Wayne Dyer, Eckhart Tolle, and David R. Hawkins. Through practicing meditation, Reiki, and Tai Chi, their view of reality changed. Larry began studying quantum science, consciousness, and internal and external energy fields.

They moved to Grass Valley in 2019, to be near family. Unity in the Gold Country has challenged them to go deeper into this mystery of life, surrounded by a loving community.

Larry is preceded in death by his parents, Mary and William Bancroft. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Jeanette Kay Bancroft, daughter, Mary Michelle Bancroft of Nevada City, CA, son, William Mark Bancroft (Kaia Bisnar) of Grass Valley, CA, grandchildren, William Spencer Bancroft of Rocklin, CA, Ivy Bancroft of Grass Valley, CA, and Aidan Scott Bancroft of Grass Valley, CA.

Larry was the ultimate mentor to his family, friends, and coworkers. Whenever anyone needed encouragement or guidance, he was always available to listen and try to help, He could not only recite the Boy Scout Law, but he also lived it, and in doing so, he made our world a better place.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Sunday, June 4 at 12:15 P.M. at Unity in the Gold Country, 180 Cambridge Ct., Grass Valley, CA 95945.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to The Sequoia Parks Conservancy, www.sequoiaparksconservancy.org or Unity in the Gold Country, www.unitygold.us.

Arrangements are by Hooper and Weaver Mortuary. See www.hooperandweavermortuary.com for more information and condolences.