Lawrence Arthur Harrington, Jr. passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, just 11 days before he would have turned 97. Larry was born on either April 6 or 7, 1927 (depending on who you believe, his mother or the doctor) in Fresno, CA to Lawrence Arthur Harrington, Sr. and Ruth Eulala Garrett Harrington. He grew up in Fresno and graduated a year early from high school in 1944 so he could enlist in the Army Air Corps and serve his country during World War II. He first met his sweetheart, Jean, in 6th grade, but they didn't really connect until they were in college. They were married on August 28, 1948 at 8:00pm in Fresno, CA.

Larry was President of the Engineering Club at Fresno State and graduated from Fresno State with a bachelor's degree in science. While going to college, he worked at his father's business as an Auto Mechanic.  After graduation, he worked as a Surveyor and then as a civilian engineer at China Lake on Project Camel.  In 1952 he got a job as a Safety Engineer with Liberty Mutual Insurance and moved to Arcadia, CA.  It was there that Larry and Jean were introduced to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and were baptized in 1955.  In 1957 Larry was transferred to Seattle (Bellevue), WA and then transferred back to Los Angeles in 1964 where they settled in Monrovia.  During his work career, he also worked for Pacific Clay Products, INA, Cigna Insurance, and Beaver Insurance.  He was a member of Toastmasters and President of the Safety Engineers Association.  After retirement, he volunteered with the Election Board (eventually becoming an Election Board Commissioner), Meals on Wheels, TOPS (serving as secretary), and with the Orange County Academic Decathlon.

For most of his adult life Larry was active in Boy Scouts of America, serving many years as a scoutmaster, Roundtable Commissioner, and District Commissioner.  He received the San Gabriel Valley District Award of Merit and Silver Beaver.  He served several times on Woodbadge Staff and was a Fox.

Larry served faithfully in the Church as Scoutmaster, Counselor in YA Bishopric, Counselor in Elders Quorum, Seventy, Ward Mission Leader, Sunday School Teacher, Senior Office Missionary for the Arcadia Mission, Assistant to High Priest Group Leader, and Chaplain at the City of Hope.

He has traveled around the world visiting Alaska, Hawaii, England, Ireland, France, Spain, Germany, Greece, Italy, Turkey, Kuwait, Oman, Jordan, Israel, China, New Zealand, and Australia.

Larry was a good, kind, smart, wise man who had lots of patience and love for his family. He had a strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  He enjoyed camping, hiking and backpacking.  His last backpacking trip was on the Pacific Crest Trail in Oregon at 83.  He built and repaired things around his home.  He was even seen climbing a ladder at home during the last week of his life.

Larry is survived by his 6 children: Marla (Glenn) Hillery of Bluffdale, Utah; Patricia Humphrey of Glendora, CA; Joan (Bob) Vaughan of Monrovia, CA; Glenn Harrington of Monrovia, CA; Linda (Brad) Oakley of Tulsa, OK and Keith (Doris) Harrington of Albuquerque, NM; and 22 grandchildren: Jena Catanzaro, Ben (Krista) Hillery, Jarom (Mika) Hillery, Scott (Darcy) Humphrey, Susan (Spencer) Thurman, Michelle (Mat) Antonelli, Eric (Briana) Humphrey, Ruth (Chris) Boyle, Jason (Melissa) Vaughan, Shauna Vaughan, David (Crystal) Vaughan, Brian (Kaylene) Vaughan, Kristina (Mike) Graves, Richard Harrington, John Arias Harrington, Summer Oakley, Curtis (Alyssa) Oakley, Garrett (Anna) Oakley, Jacob (Kristy) Oakley, Natalie (Michael) Muhlestein, Jennifer (Jarod) Huckabay, and Holly Harrington. He had 57 great grandchildren: Hyrum, Evelyn, Claire, and Lorenzo Catanzaro; Anna, Brandon, Audrey, Camille, Thomas, Betty and Levi Hillery; Evan, June, and Ramona  Hillery; Elena (Sloan) Hodges, Tyler, Mason, Brooklyn and Ryan Humphrey; Owen, Parker, Abigail and Katelyn Thurman; Carson, Ava, and Blake Antonelli; Miles Humphrey, Ellen and Logan Boyle; Jackson Vaughan; Casandra Vaughan, Jaunna and Justin (Katie) Dowell; James, Olive and Logan Vaughan; Isaak, Kaebri, Demetri, Aubryn, Chamberlin, and Dreyton Vaughan; Emma, Zachery and Harper Graves; River, Caelan and Bradley Oakley; Jayna and Odessa Oakley; Gwen, Sophia, and Maggie Oakley; and Adam, Samuel, Levi, Benjamin, and Felix Muhlestein.  He also had 5 Great Great Grandchildren: Kash, Konner, Kaden Waterbury,  Leo Perez and James Tate Dowell. Other surviving relatives include his niece and nephews: Michael Detjen, Steven Detjen, David Detjen, Bruce Harringon, Brenda Yardeen and Tim Harrington

Larry was preceded in death by his parents: Lawrence and Ruth Harrington; his sister, Clara (Dutch) Detjen; his brother, Leslie (Shirley) Harrington and his wife, Martha Jean Flemming Harrington

Funeral Services will be held 10 AM on Thursday, April 18, 2024 at the Monrovia Ward building at 532 West Lemon Avenue, Monrovia, CA. Interment will be at 2:00 PM at Forest Lawn Glendale, CA.

Arrangements under the direction of Chapman Funeral Homes - Mary Harmon, owner. Toll free (855) 628-0447.

______________________________

Obituary notice for Chapman Funeral Homes. Please visit www.chapmanfunerals.com .

American Obituary is a Baywalk Marketing service.

facebook.com/AmericanObituary - twitter.com/AmericaObituary