Tuesday, April 30, 2024
Larry Ames was born in Northport, Wash. on March 21, 1927, into the loving family of Walter and Elfrieda Ames.
He grew up in his parent's home with his five siblings, and they shared a happy childhood in their small town nestled on the east bank of the mighty Columbia River.
He attended Northport High School and, like many of his generation, put his education on hold to serve his country during World War II, joining the U.S. Navy and traveling across the Pacific to China.
Larry’s penchant for adventure, travel and his avid interest in other cultures was no doubt ignited by his experiences as an 18-year-old seaman first class transported from a small town to the bustling city of San Diego, the warm beaches of Oahu, the urban expanse of Shanghai and on into rural China.
Growing up during the Depression, and seeing firsthand the impact of poverty in his travels, fostered in Larry a deep sense of egalitarianism. His conviction that education was the solution to social problems coupled with his concern for the welfare of others were traits that made him an extremely gifted teacher.
Larry’s “gung-ho” style was infectious to everyone around him, and his ability to plan a family camping trip, a simple lesson, or a large complex project made him a very effective administrator, school principal, and a loving and devoted father.
After leaving the Navy in 1946, Larry followed his passion for baseball and played minor league ball for two years before enrolling at Washington State College. 1952 was a banner year, as Larry graduated alongside his brothers, Walt and Clarence, and in June married his college sweetheart, Joan Whealdon from Chinook, Wash.
Larry earned his master’s degree in 1954 and quickly landed a teaching position in the bucolic bayside town of Mukilteo, beginning his career at Rose Hill School.
After three years his and Joan’s penchant for adventure found them on a ship en route to Panama.
With two small children in tow and one on the way, they left their charming community for a four-year stint in the Canal Zone, where Larry taught school and ran the swimming program.
Returning to Mukilteo in the early ‘60s, with a fourth child added to the ranks while in Panama, the family settled on Third Street and later moved up onto Goat Trail Road to a bigger home to accommodate a family of five children.
This included a kitchen built to their specifications, as Larry was a man that knew his way around the stove top, the barbecue grill, oven or fire pit.
Whether fish, fowl or red meat, Larry relished the time cooking for family and friends and sharing a scrumptious meal. His waffle recipe, oysters on the half shell and martinis are legendary.
Larry worked the remainder of his career with the Mukilteo schools at Rose Hill, Serene Lake Elementary, and Explorer Middle School, retiring in 1984.
Dedicated to his profession, Larry continued his support of the school district fine arts and early education initiatives. In addition to his school activities, he did many things to help those faced with great challenges in their lives.
After retiring, he was very active in the Mukilteo community, volunteering with St. Vincent de Paul, St. John's Catholic Church and the Friends of the Mukilteo Library.
Larry and Joan travelled extensively before and after retirement, taking trips to Europe, New Zealand, the Philippines and Thailand, as well as destinations in Canada and all across the U.S.
Larry’s ability to rapidly build a rapport and extend friendship wherever he travelled or to whomever he met was, to his last days, one of his most enduring and endearing legacies.
He is survived by his five children and spouses; Gaylen and Mike, Monica and Frank, John and Jan, Ann and Tom, and David and Diane; grandchildren Ryan, Sara, Katie, Garth, Walt, and Zoe; great granddaughter Olivia; his sisters, Maybelle and Rosemarie; brother Clarence; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, consider a gift to the Mukilteo Schools Foundation, specifying either the Sno-Isle TECH Skill Center; the Early Childhood Education & Assistance Program; or the Mukilteo Schools Fine Arts Program, at www.mukilteoschoolsfoundation.org.
Larry and his family extend special thanks to the wonderful and gifted people at Providence hospital and Ida Culver Broadview for their kindness and expert care.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 27, at St John’s Catholic Church, 829 Third St., Mukilteo.
