BOMBER MEMORIAL

LARRY LEROY FORAKER ~ Class of 1967
August 9, 1949 - July 17, 2023



Clarkston, Washington -

Larry L. Foraker, passed away from complications related to bladder cancer on July 17, 2023. Larry was born in the Tri-Cities on August 9, 1949, to Harold and Vi Foraker.

He was many things in his life including husband, father, brother, fisherman, hunter, and artist.

Larry was my older brother and only sibling. Our childhoods were spent fishing, swimming, and exploring the Columbia and Yakima Rivers near our South Richland home. Our parents enjoyed taking us camping and ocean fishing on a frequent basis; a favorite place for this being Pillar Point, near Sekiu, where many a salmon and halibut were caught by Larry. Our dad taught us how to shoot and hunt, both skills which Larry honed to an expert level. His outdoor sportsman skills were such that he earned the title "YMCA Camper of the Year" at a summer camp outside of Spokane at age 12.

Larry attended Richland Schools, graduating from Columbia High School in 1967. Following graduation, he and a neighborhood friend, Gary Ell ('67), joined the Army where Larry trained in computer and communications technology. His entire military career was spent at a communications center in Taiwan known as "Green Mountain". Prior to enlisting, Larry married his high school sweetheart, Nancy Zimmerman ('67), and a son, Erik, was born to this union.

After completing his military service, Larry continued studying computer science at Columbia Basin College. He eventually headed to the west side of the State working a 40-year career with U.S. Oil Company in Tacoma. It was during this time that Larry met and married Barbara Wade of Pasco and two sons, Jason and Alex, were later born. Larry took his wife and three sons on innumerable fishing adventures to the Strait of Juan De Fuca for salmon, crabbing, clamming, and ocean fishing. When he wasn't fishing or hunting, Larry could be found painting. He was artistically talented and enjoyed entering some of his watercolor paintings in the Washington State Fair and other contests, often winning awards. Larry retired from U.S. Oil as a Plant Superintendent in 2014.

In 2005, Larry met a Southern Belle from Georgia, Yvonne Miller. After five years of dating, they were married in 2010. They shared 18 happy years together enjoying numerous cruises and vacations spending time with Yvonne's family in the South. In the fall of 2020, Larry and Yvonne traded (sold) their home in Buckley, WA, with its beautiful view of Mt. Rainier, for a home with a sweeping view of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers in Clarkston, WA. It was while living here that Larry painted some of his very best artwork.

My brother passed away in Lewiston, Idaho, with his wife, sons, and me by his side. He will be forever missed! At his request, there will be no services.

Larry is survived by his wife, Yvonne Foraker, in Clarkston; brother, Ron Foraker ('70) (Stacey), in Dayton; and three sons: Erik Foraker, Olympia, Jason Foraker (Heather), Spokane, and Alex Foraker, Buckley. Also surviving him are Stephanie Foraker, Drew Foraker, Hayley McClendon, Michael Appleyard, Nicole, Max, Ellie and Quinten Newsome, and Sam Miller (Connie).

Published in the Tri-City Herald on August 13, 2023.

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Bomber Memorial put together by Shirley COLLINGS Haskins ('66).