Larry Clifford O’Hara, 82, passed away peacefully at his home in Napavine, Wash., Nov. 27, 2018. He was born in Fargo, N.D., May 28, 1936, to Donald Brenner and Jean O’Hara, and was raised by his grandmother Annabella “Nanny” Nagel.
Larry graduated from Hamilton High School in May of 1955. He liked to joke about graduating 5th in his class... of five graduating seniors. After leaving high school, Larry worked a variety of jobs including Frank White’s Farm Machinery Company in Hamilton, N.D., as well as serving two years in the United States Army National Guard. He also worked as a civil engineer with the Washington State Highway Department, U.S. Forest Service and as a civilian for the U.S. Government in Saudi Arabia, Bangor Submarine Base and the Bremerton Naval Shipyard. He retired in 1995, as a civilian planner/estimator for the U.S. Coast Guard on the island of Kodiak, Ark. Feb. 8, 1957, he married the love of his life, Elfrieda B. Stegmann in a small church in Bathgate, N.D., and treasured their 61 years of marriage.
Larry loved and trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and spent his life finding ways to honor Him by serving other people. He cherished his family and rarely missed an opportunity to cheer them on as they participated in sports, music and theatrical events. Larry laughed a lot and made it his life’s endeavor to make other people laugh.
Larry is preceded in death by his grandmother, Annabella Nagel; mother, Jean (West) O’Hara; father and stepmother, Donald and Ginger Brenner; siblings, Mort West, Richard West, Alice (West) Olson; grandson, Christopher O’Hara; and great-grandson, Jebedia Fish.
He is survived by his wife, Elfrieda; his sons, Clifford (Dawn) O’Hara, Scott (Michelle) O’Hara, Micheal (Sharry) O’Hara; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson. He is also survived by siblings, Geri Didier, Lou (Hilary) West, Sharon (Pete) Johnson, Gale Johnson, Linda (Dennis) Votava, Susan Rasmussen and Mary Kay (David) Mattson.
Viewing will take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Dec. 7, 2018, at Sticklin Funeral Chapel in Centralia, Wash. Memorial service will take place at 11:30 a.m., Dec. 8, 2018, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Winlock, Wash., with luncheon to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church.
