Larry Lloyd Compton

In Loving Memory of Larry Lloyd Compton

Larry Lloyd Compton, 82, of Syracuse, Utah, passed away after a long battle with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Larry was born on May 23, 1941, to Raymond and Mildred Francis (Peggy) Compton in Comox, British Columbia, Canada. Larry was a mischievous, busy, boy growing up. Schooling in his young years was difficult, he even flunked the 8th grade but persevered and graduated from Carihi High School in Campbell River, Canada in 1961, at the age of 20. He wanted to become a Royal Canadian Mounted Police Officer but was rejected during the physical when they found that he was color blind.

With his desire to be a police officer no longer an option, he bravely enlisted in the United States Army in December 1963. He went to boot camp in Fort Ord California in January 1964. He specialized in infantry training and then went to jump school at Fort Benning, Georgia, where he received parachute training for the airborne infantry. After paratrooper training, he went to Fort Lee Virginia for 16 months. At Fort Lee he worked as a supply handler. Larry went to Vietnam in August 1965. During Vietnam, he worked as a supply handler, and worked alongside the Air Force where he parachuted supplies to the front lines in Vietnam. Larry was honorably discharged from the United States Army in September 1966. He enjoyed being reunited in the last five years of his life with the 383rd Quartermaster Detachment Aerial Supply and catching up with those he served with in Vietnam.

After returning from Vietnam, Larry then attended Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA. He decided on becoming a Physical Education Teacher. He met his wife, Kathleen Timlick at Western and were married on July 19, 1969. They were married for almost 54 years at the time of his death. Together they built an amazing life together, bringing two daughters into the world, Sara McCulloch, and Stacy Williams. Together they enjoyed exercising, taking cruises, and spending time with their five grandchildren, Blakely, Alex, Emma, Hailey, and Sammy.

Larry retired after 31 years of teaching physical education in the South Central School District in Tukwila, Washington. He was known for reforming the physical education program in the district. He found ways to bring opportunities to his PE classes that weren’t there before. He taught roller skating, unicycling, basketball, juggling, and practically any athletic game or activity. He was known as the master in leading Simon Says and could get the attention of a whole group of students while playing this game. His lifestyle matched his career and was always found working out, playing tennis, swimming, biking, golfing, bowling, and enjoyed pickleball even in his final years with oxygen strapped on his back. A great accomplishment at the age of 50, was riding in the Seattle to Portland bike race with a sprained ankle. He loved being active and healthy.

When Larry retired, he immediately began babysitting all five of his grandchildren for many years. This allowed his daughters to enjoy their careers while knowing their children were having a lot of fun with their grandpa. He made the best hotdog sandwich, and enjoyed going to all his grandchildren’s sporting, theater, and musical events.

Education was extremely important to him. He supported both of his daughters in getting a college education, even when it meant taking a second job cleaning office buildings to pay for college. This sacrifice was so important to him that he set up college savings for all five of his grandchildren to provide them what they needed to go to college when the time came.

Larry will be greatly missed by all those who knew him. He is known to all for having strong opinions, for vocally standing up for what he believed, and those who learned to understand that about him became some of his greatest friends. He didn’t worry about what others thought of him, and he had thick skin. He had a kind heart and was always willing to buy gifts or send money to show love and support to others when they accomplished something important. He loved a challenge and knew how to work hard. He had an immaculate yard and took pride in how beautiful it always looked.

Larry’s family will be having a celebration of life in Washington in August where he will be laid to rest at Sunset Hills Memorial Park and Mortuary in Bellevue, WA. Services entrusted to Lindquist’s Syracuse Mortuary, 869 South 2000 West, Syracuse, Utah.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in his name to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, in hopes that a cure can be found one day. 

https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/PFFTribute/LarryCompton