Larry L. Young, age 74, of Colfax passed away Monday night, September 4, 2017, at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, Washington, He was born July 4, 1943 in Stahl, Missouri to Robert B. Swisher and Dorothy Adelene (Byers) Swisher. His father, Robert was killed on April 27, 1945, in Luzon, Philippines during WWII.
Larry and his mother, Dorothy, then moved out to the Nampa/Kuna, Idaho area in 1945 to be closer to her parents. She met Floyd Young, and they were married in 1946. Floyd was a returning solder who had been released from a POW camp in Germany the same day Robert was killed. Floyd adopted and helped raise Larry.
In the mid 1950's Larry moved with his family to the Yakima, Washington area, where his father worked as a watchmaker. During his high school years, Larry would spend most of the summer down with his grandparents working with his grandfather on reclamation projects. He also drove truck during the pea harvest in Lewiston, Idaho.
Upon graduation Larry joined the Navy in 1962. He travelled the world, aboard the USS Charles H. Roan. He was honorably discharged in 1966. He then went back to college studying Sociology, while working part-time in his father's jewelry business in Yakima.
Larry married Glenda (Saysell) Isaac in 1967. In January of 1970 he and Glenda had a son, Douglas R. Young. Larry and Glenda divorced in 1986.
After college, Larry started working as a Probation Officer with Yakima County. He was eventually promoted to Director. Larry and Glenda owned and operated the Harwood Grocery Store from 1979 to 1985 in Yakima, Washington. They then moved to Vashon Island, Washington, and Larry began working for the Washington State Department of Corrections in the Burien office.
In 1988 Larry transferred from the Burien DOC office to Colfax, where he was a Community Corrections Officer 3. He retired from that position in 2006.
Larry married Jodie Hamilton of Colfax, Washington on October 4, 1988,.
Larry loved to travel and camp in his motorhome. He never could learn enough about history, especially surrounding WWII. While he was still able, he enjoyed meeting members of the NWGPAA-CC (gold prospecting) club for outings. Larry had a larger than life personality, and an endless amount of entertaining stories to tell. He had an infectious smile and laugh. He had a soft spot in his heart for those he cared about. This includes his friends, family, and many pets.
Larry leaves behind his wife Jodie at their home in Colfax, Washington, his son Doug of Hermiston, Oregon, Grandson Dillon Young, Granddaughter Alex Young, and Great granddaughter Lillian Kelso, all of Redmond, Washington.
A memorial service will be held at the Endicott School Auditorium on September 23, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. A potluck will follow after the service in the Mulitpurpose Room. Internment will be at a later date at the Veteran's Memorial Cemetery in Medical Lake, WA.
Larry was a member of the NWGPAA-CC, a gold mining club. He was passionate in his goal to assist them in fund-raising for an educational trailer. Memorials may be made in Larry's name to NWGPAA-CC c/o Treasurer Gary Wutzke 2312 Charnita Dr. Clarkston, WA. 99403.