Larry Gene McClanahan March 3,1941-October 31, 2014
Following a serious ATV accident while hunting in Idaho, Larry was declared to be quadriplegic and would not be able to breathe or move on his own. Larry was rescued after falling over a 30 foot embankment with his quad landing on top of him, but realized soon after the accident what his future life would be like.
Being a Christian for 42 years, he chose to end his life and go to heaven where he knew and believed he would begin an eternal life with Jesus. The bible is very clear on that subject and his family, although sad agreed with him completely. Thank you for the many prayers-we felt them.
Larry was born in Port Townsend, WA to Mabel S. (Prestwood) McClanahan and Ralph Enterkine McClanahan on March 3, 1941. He was the seventh-born and last child born to that family and was educated the first 18 years of his life in Quilcene, WA.
His family taught he and his siblings a work ethic that translated to his entire life. He began working at errands in the garden at home which reached to working on rafting logs with Jay Swanson in Brinnon, WA and then in Quilcene at approximately age 15. He began his logging career for Buck Mountain Logging Co., learning to be a good busheler.
In the fall of 1958 he became reacquainted with Judi Adams, who had recently moved to Quilcene from Bremerton. According to a classmate, who was in the third grade, Judi chased Larry around the swings and slides when they were very young.
They both graduated from Quilcene High School in the class of 1959, then Larry began apprentice carpentry with his brother Tom on Whidbey Island. He then was offered a football scholarship to play for the Huskies where he began studying to be an architect.
However, Larry was a small town boy and was not able to be comfortable doing inside work in a large city. On June 18, 1960, Larry and Judi were married in Quilcene, WA and lived for the next 10 years in Quilcene, Larry continued working for Buck Mountain Logging Company, Snell Logging Company and Winney Construction, who eventually brought him to Forks, WA.
Two boys, Larry Jr. and Raymond, were born in Port Angeles in 1962 and 1966 and their daughter, Tani was born in Port Angeles, in 1970.
In 1970- Larry continued to work for Winney construction and also Spolestra Bros Logging Co. when he formed a company called McClanahan Busheling. The McClanahans bought the house they were living in and began to settle in Forks, WA.
In 1975 Larry began to have a dream of buying a small sawmill and building a large mill. They also attended Forks Bible Church until the present.
They learned what the Bible said, which took them to study for almost 5 years at Prairie Bible College, which is located in Three Hills, Alberta, Canada. They went for the purpose of missionary work among either Canadian Indians or American Indians, but God chose instead to send them to Liberia, West Africa.
While in school they worked with the Black Foot Indians of Alberta. Larry graduated with a BTH and majored in Greek. Judi still smiles when thinking of Larry who didn’t always spell correctly of speak sentences correctly excel in Greek even being a grader for the instructor.
Larry was pre-deceased by his parents; brothers: Ernie McClanahan, Ralph Eugene McClanahan, Robert Leroy McClanahan; sister, Gert (McClanahan) Finley.
He is survived by his wife Judi, his brother Tom McClanahan, and his sister, Viola McNish.
His children: Larry Jr. (Julie) McClanahan, Ray (Shannon) McClanahan, and Tani (Scott) McBeth. Grandchildren: Joel McClanahan, Kirsten (McClanahan) Hazen, Kaiya McClanahan and Lana McClanahan. Great-Grandchildren: Olivia Hazen and Adelaide Hazen as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews and many “best friends.”
A memorial service will be held November 22, 2014, in the Forks High School Gymnasium at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given in memory of Larry to the Forks Bible Church, 780 G Street, Forks Wa 98331.
