Larry Miller

Larry Miller

Larry Miller, 68, passed away with his loving wife, Jeri Miller, and his little sister, Ivey Bryant Bettis, by his side, on December 9, 2008, in Fortuna, California. He was born on October 19, 1940, in Durham, North Carolina.

Larry went to Eureka High School and was of the class of 1959. Every 5 years there was a class reunion and Larry didn’t miss one.

The Heaps car club was one of his passions. Then came dirt bike racing and the thrill of winning, competition, and meeting great guys.

On December 13, 1965, Larry joined the Eureka Mission Linen family and in a short time he was hooked on everything the company stood for. At this time Larry was asked to make a choice between dirt bike racing and Mission Linen. He had crashed several times and couldn’t perform his work duties. There was only one choice, as he had a little girl to support, so he sold his bike and hung up his leathers. After a few years he was transferred to the Santa Cruz Plant and then on to the Salinas Plant as General Manager. He retired after 35 years of service.

Larry and Jeri made trips back to Salinas to see friends and to stop by Mission Linen to say hello to all the employees. The employees would give him a hug and tell him, “We sure miss your walk through the plant each morning saying hello to each of us.” He knew them all on a first name basis. When new employees were hired they were told he wasn’t Mr. Miller, Sir, or Boss; he was Larry! He gave his employees the credit for the recognition and awards received over the years.

One can’t forget his interest in old cars. While in Salinas he was on the Cherry’s Jubilee committee for ten years, as well as belong to the Road Angels Car Club. After moving to Fortuna, Larry and Jeri joined the Redwood Vintage Rods and another family of friends was made. They travelled to car shows with friends Gene and Joyce Davenport and George and Marla Smoker.

Larry had a great smile and sense of humor. His quick wit resulted in his aliases, “Stickman”, “Noodle Legs” and “Scary Larry”.

He loved his family and church family very much.

Larry is survived by his wife of 27 years, Jeri miller of Fortuna, California; sister Ivey (Rich) Bryant Bettis of Fortuna, CA; daughters Tohnia Miller of San Diego, CA, and Nina (Peter) Neill of Boulder, Colorado; step-daughters Chrissy (John) Strong, Jackie (John) Mansfield, and Kathy Napolitano, all of Idaho; grandchildren Nicole (Scott) Taylor (nicknamed Little Grasshopper by her Grandpa), Deanne (Chris) Bailey (known as Casper), Brad and Ryker Mansfield of Idaho, Jordan, Philip and Ben Neill of Colorado; five great-granddaughters; niece Karen (Nolan) Hawkins of Redding, CA; nephews Larry and Todd (Shawna) Bryant of Fortuna; many great-nieces and nephews; and special friends Dennis and Mary Pieper of Klamath Falls, Oregon, and Terry and Bronda Sims of Arizona.

The family would like to thank Dr. Olkin, the Redwood Memorial Hospital staff and the ICU staff for the loving care they gave Larry. Thanks to Patti at Pierce Mortuary and friends and neighbors for their support.

There will be a Celebration of Life Service for Larry on January 17, 2009, from 11-3, at the Ingomar Club, 143 M Street, Eureka, CA.

Larry’s family requests that in lieu of flowers and cards please make donations to: Rogers Memorial Hospital Foundation, Attention: Larry Miller Memorial Fund, 34700 Valley Rd., Oconomowoc, WI 53066. All gifts will go to help people who suffer from eating disorders as Larry did.

Care is under the direction of Pierce Mortuary, Eureka, CA.

Please sign the guestbook at www.times-standard.com, click on obituaries.