Lawrence "Larry" Alvin Peterson

Lawrence “Larry” Alvin Peterson

November 13, 1942 - November 9, 2022

He was smart.  He was funny.  He was stubborn. He was loyal. He was loved.  Throughout his life, he was all these things… 

Larry was born November 13th, 1942, to Hank and Bernice Peterson.  When Larry was a baby, Hank was drafted to serve in the Army during WWII.  During the three years that Hank was away serving our country, Larry was cared for by his loving mom and doting aunts, some of that time being spent in Canada.  Not long after Hank returned from the war, Larry gained a baby brother, Marv.  The family attended Hope Lutheran Church where Larry was baptized and confirmed.

Larry grew up in Seattle, WA where he attended Haller Lake Elementary, Butler Junior High, and graduated from Shoreline High School in 1960.  After high school, Larry continued his education at Everett Junior College and the University of Washington before enlisting and serving in the Air Force Reserves. 

Larry gathered many friends throughout his life.  One long-time friend recently shared a story about a time she was sitting on top of a car watching the races at SIR with Larry.  Looking out at the crowd he spotted Judi Hellstrom.  He told his friend that he would marry that girl someday.  And he did.

Larry and Judi were married March 29th, 1968.  They enjoyed skiing in their early years and camping and hiking in their later years.  They began their adventures in parenting in 1970 when Kari was born. They added Kristen to their family two years later. Shoreline was home to their family, and they also enjoyed spending time at Birch Bay, Lake Chelan and Gold Bar Nature Trails.  The Petersons retired to Birch Bay after more than 25 years of work at Western Fleet Supply. 

The true joy in Larry’s life was his kids and grandkids.  From swim meets to volleyball matches to baseball games, & concerts, Larry was always there to support and cheer for Kari, Kristen, Emma, Quin, Carys & Theo.

Larry loved being on the water: boating, floating, fishing, crabbing, cruising, flinging kids around on innertubes, and going fast just for fun. When not on the water, Larry, a proud Norwegian-American enjoyed singing and for decades was an active member of the Norwegian Male Chorus of Seattle, and later serving as President of the Bellingham chapter.

Larry lived a vibrant, healthy life until last summer.  Just recently he found himself at PeaceHealth in Bellingham.  The chaplain stopped in to pay him a visit, and Larry made a new friend. They had a lengthy conversation that, in the end, left the chaplain feeling blessed.  The conversation encompassed Larry’s personality and faith perfectly.  Larry said, “I have not lived my life like Jesus.  He knows that, and I know that.  But thankfully, we have an understanding, and I still know where I’m going.”  Later in his notes, the chaplain commented, “Larry expresses an integrated and personalized faith that provides him with a spiritual confidence that is comforting to himself and his family.  Larry is at peace with his decision as well as with life in general.  He is facing the end of his life with insightful thought, good family, community, and church support, and dignity.”

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Hank and Bernice Peterson.  He is survived by his wife, Judi; daughters Kari McLaren (Jeff) and Kristen Davis (Jason); grandchildren Emma McLaren and Quin McLaren, Carys Davis and Theo Davis; brother Marv (Anne); and his large extended family of sisters- and brothers-in-law, nieces, and nephews who love him dearly.

All are welcome to celebrate Larry’s life on Monday, November 21, 2022, 1:00 PM at Birch Bay Bible Community Church, 4460 Bay Road, Blaine, WA.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to:

Christian Relief Fund

https://crf.com/

(806) 352.5030

P.O. Box 19670

Amarillo, TX 79114-1670