Longtime Harbor resident, community organizer, and artist, Larry Lauritzen, passed away on March 8, 2018, in Seattle, with his wife of 51 years, Sandy, by his side. He was 76, and had been battling Alzheimer’s disease for several years. His last words were, “I love you, Sandy.”

Larry was born and raised in Oakland, Calif., along with his twin brother, Lee, by his parents Benny and Athalie (Hageman) Lauritzen. He attended Cal State College at Hayward, where he played varsity basketball and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. While in college, Larry met the love of his life, Sandy Smith of Cosmopolis. They were married after their college graduation in June 1965.

Drafted into the Army in 1965, Larry served in Germany, where his daughter Pam was born. After his service and the birth of his second daughter, Nancy, the Lauritzens moved to Aberdeen. Larry was then hired as the Building Official for the City of Aberdeen, and soon his third daughter, Jane, was born. Larry served the City of Aberdeen for 26 years before his retirement in 1997.

Larry wasn’t one to let retirement slow him down. Along the way he had discovered a love of stained glass design and started a business drawing plans for homes and businesses. He also devoted time and talent to Neighborworks of Grays Harbor and Habitat for Humanity, earning local, state, and national recognition for his commitment to helping the people of Grays Harbor find and build safe, affordable homes.

He designed many stained glass projects from suncatchers to lamps to windows, boxes and candle holders. Most of his project he gave as gifts to family and friends.

A high school and college athlete, Larry played team sports and was a runner for as long as his knees held out. After a knee replacement, he devoted countless hours to workouts at the local YMCA, joined by his grandson, Riley Schreck, in the later years.

Larry enjoyed the outdoors in the Pacific Northwest, and was an avid fisherman, clam-digger, and golfer. He and his twin, Lee, fished the Northwest from Oregon to Alaska, always competing for the most and biggest fish. Larry was also a longtime Seahawks fan, and a fierce competitor in cribbage during family holiday gatherings.

Of all the roles of his life, Larry loved being a grandfather best. He shared his favorite activities and many talents with his four grandchildren, and always made time for them.

As his Alzheimer’s disease progressed, Larry lived at Channel Point Village and Riverside Place in Hoquiam, where he charmed staff and residents and rediscovered his love for painting, producing many new works from memories of beach scenes and landscapes.

Larry will be remembered with love by his wife, Sandy, his brother Lee (Dottie), his daughters Pam, Nancy (Jerry) Schreck, and Jane (Jim), his four grandchildren, Britney (Sean), Riley, Anika, and Zoe, along with the members of his vast extended family.

The Lauritzens, family, and friends will gather for a celebration of Larry’s life on Saturday, April 28, at 1 p.m. at the Cosmopolis Lions Club.

Memorial donations in Larry’s honor can be made to Neighborworks of Grays Harbor, Habitat for Humanity of Grays Harbor, or the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.