LARRY LEE UTZINGER

Larry Lee Utzinger, Tonasket native and former superintendent and coach at the Waterville School District, died Tuesday, February 14, 2012, at his home in East Wenatchee following a long struggle with cancer. He was 70.

Larry was born on January 31, 1942, in Seattle to John and Gay Utzinger. He moved with his family to Tonasket the following year and he graduated from Tonasket High School in 1960. He married Bethann Hulbert in 1964. Their daughter, Cherri Lynn, was born in 1966. The couple later divorced. Larry married Gevi (McCone) Miller in 1980, and helped raise her three sons, Clark, Clay, and KC Miller. Larry later helped raise his grandson, Brandon Cate.

As a boy, Larry was actively involved in all types of athletics and developed a lifelong interest in hunting, fishing, and other outdoor interests. Larry graduated from Eastern Washington University in 1965 with a degree in education. He also played baseball and swam for EWU. In 1986 he earned a Master's degree from Washington State University in education administration.

After graduating from EWU, Larry began his teaching and coaching career, first in Waitsburg from 1966-1967 and then Touchet from1967-1969. He ranched and farmed in the Touchet area from 1969-1975, retuning to teaching in 1975 at Northport. In 1976, Larry coached the Northport High School girls' basketball team to the Class B State Championship. In 1978, he became the Grand Coulee School District assistant superintendent, leaving to become the Waterville School District superintendent in 1982. Larry served as the Waterville superintendent until retiring in 1992 and also coached the Waterville High School girls' basketball team from 1985-1988. After his retirement, Larry continued to live in Waterville for many years and remained active coaching high school sports for the Shockers, including football, boys basketball, and track.

After retiring from education, Larry worked as a federal and private crop insurance adjuster from 1997-2007. From 2007 through 2009, Larry spent summers in Seward, Alaska, where he worked for local resorts and spent most days fishing for salmon and halibut in Resurrection Bay. He returned to Seward in both 2010 and 2011 to fish with friends. He lived in Tonasket during this time when not living in Alaska.

Larry was a member of the North Central Washington Fair board of directors. He was also a member of the Tonasket and the Coulee City gun clubs, and Lions Club, Tonasket Fly Club, Washington School Administrators Association, and others.

He was an active outdoorsman throughout his life and lived vigorously even after he was diagnosed with cancer in 2003. He was an engaging story teller and his stories often involved hunting and fishing adventures that he had shared with a wide circle of friends. In August 2011, after his final trip to Alaska, he moved to East Wenatchee. During his final months, he was visited by numerous friends, including many students he had coached and taught over the years. Larry was surrounded by friends and families during his final months. He died at home with his wife and one of his sons at his bedside.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, John and Gay Utzinger. He is survived by his wife, Gevi of East Wenatchee. The couple celebrated their 32nd wedding anniversary the week before Larry's death. He is also survived by his daughter, Cherri Roberts, Warden, and grandson Brandon Cate, Omak; three stepsons Clark (Carissa) Miller, and granddaughters Sydney and Kendley, Boise, Idaho; Clay (Monica) Miller, Nunum Iqua, Alaska; and KC (Colleen) Miller, grandson Jake and granddaughter Jessica, Chelan; a sister, Donna Bond (Jim Rothrock), Cheney; and a brother, Bruce (Hedy) Neilson, Monmouth, Ore.; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Friday, March 2, 2012, at the Waterville Federated Church. Larry will be buried in the Tonasket Cemetery. A graveside service will be scheduled in Tonasket at a later date.

Memorial gifts may be made the North Central Washington Fair, Waterville, or the Central Washington Hospital Home Care and Hospice, Wenatchee.