Born to Laurence (Shorty) and Juanita Ayre in Goldendale, WA on May 12, 1947, Larry succumbed to complications of myelofibrosis, a pre-leukemia condition on November 2, 2024. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Coleen Nichols and brothers Ray Reynard and Mike Ayre. He is survived by his wife Kathy, sons Chris Ayre (Amy) of Philadelphia, PA and Steven Ayre (Meghann) of England, sisters-in-law Delores Reynard and Carol Vertz-Ayre, grandchildren Hannah, Kasey, Megan, Hudson, Caroline, and Katherine, and niece Jill Langis and nephews Corey and Kyle Reynard and Jeff and Tylor Ayre.

Larry graduated from Finley's River View High School in 1965. His first and most loved job was in the Horse Heaven Hills driving combine during wheat harvest. His next career was in sales, beginning with the Eutectic Welding Corporation where he worked diligently for 14 years. From its inception, he was deeply involved with the Hazardous Materials Management and Emergency Response (HAMMER) federal training center in Richland, helping to develop it from concept to reality.

He was a volunteer firefighter in Finley and then later a Benton County Fire Commissioner. He loved everything River View High School and was always deeply involved with Finley schools to include terms on the School Board as both a member and as Board President. Larry was not a "religious" person, but faithfully loved the Lord in his own way. Larry was a fighter right up until the end, never accepting of the status quo, and always driving to make things better for his family and the community that surrounded him.

We will celebrate Larry's life on Saturday, December 7, at 11:00 am at River View High School in Finley, 36509 S. Lemon Dr. Dress is casual.

Donations gratefully accepted for the Finley FFA in care of Jennifer Yochum, 36509 S. Lemon Dr., Kennewick, WA, 99337.