Larry F. Sather
August 14, 1943 – April 21, 2020
On April 21, 2020, this cowboy took his final ride to that big open range in the sky after a hard-fought battle with glioblastoma cancer. Though our hearts are broken, we find our peace in knowing there is no more pain and suffering.
Born Aug. 14, 1943 in Seattle, Washington, and raised by his parents Iris V. and Harrison M. Sather, Larry would approach his life with an honor code and work ethic that made every goal he ever set out to complete reachable with hard work and determination.
He had a wealth of knowledge in all aspects of his life. He felt honored to share that knowledge with all who wanted to know. He was always there to help anyone in their ventures, he wanted to help people succeed without any recognition for doing so.
Larry attended Bothell High School. As a younger child he spent time at his grandparents’ ranch where he watched and learned all about the rodeo. The ranch hosted a PRCA sanctioned rodeo every year. He was his grandpa’s sidekick. With his grandfather “Ace” Sanderlin being a world-renowned dog trainer, and with Larry always wanting to learn, he was able to gain knowledge he would use in the training of his own working cow dogs. He was a natural with training both dogs and horses.
In May 1963, while on a visit to his parents and a job interview, he happened to be “cruising town” when he came across a girl who stole his heart. On Oct. 5 that same year, Anita L. Clymer would become his wife, best friend and soul mate for the next 56 years.
Larry was a lineman by trade. He and Anita spent the first few years, with their girls, between Washington and Oregon while he worked for powerline erectors assembling the highline powerlines. When he decided it was time to settle down to give his family a stable home to be raised in, Larry took a position with Mountain Electric, which brought them to Cle Elum, Washington. They purchased their first home in Roslyn, Washington, and this is where his early “cowboy” roots began to grow again. Mountain trips by horseback soon became a regular family affair as well as participating in Washington state gaming events.
In 1972, Larry accepted a career-long position with the Grant County PUD, where he retired in 2002. He felt so much pride with his work ethic and being able to say he stayed with the same profession. He was based out of Royal City, Washington, where they raised their two daughters Denyse and Brenda. In 1981, they settled in their home for 39 years in Smyrna, Washington.
After retirement, Larry was able to focus full time on his passion in life of horse training and working cow dog training. He enjoyed being a part of all the cattle drives, brandings and ranch help he spent so much time doing.
Family was everything to Larry. Nothing made him prouder. He was so proud of all of their success. From his daughters to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, he encouraged them in their individuality and wherever their interests took them, he would find a way to learn all about it and follow them through it. Supporting them was what he was there to do. From traveling to junior and high school rodeos to taking them camping and fishing, to graduations and band concerts, he wanted to be there and he did with pride.
Larry’s hobbies included training horses and cow dogs, team roping, operating and selling his own small cattle herd, fly fishing, camping, square dancing, teaching himself Excel on the computer, woodworking and probably most importantly, “rigging.” He loved rigging up a solution to a situation with whatever he had on hand at the time.
Larry is survived by his wife of 56 years Anita; daughters Denyse Ottmar (Joe) of Moses Lake, Washington, and Brenda Schriener (Bill) of Spokane, Washington; grandchildren Kayla Naccarato (T.C.) of Benton City, Washington, Coy Ottmar of Moses Lake, Washington, Amanda Wade (Andrew) of Pomeroy, Washington and Barret Drew (Taylor) of Moses Lake, Washington; great-grandchildren Annie Drew, Greyson Wade and Jolena Naccarato; sister Sharon Marshall (Wayne) of Duvall, Washington and several nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents Iris V. Sather and Harrison M. Sather as well as his biological father Frank Williams.
Larry was one of a kind. He had grit and determination. He always said “If you aren’t learning something new every day, your life is over.” He was a loved husband, father, grandfather, Pa, great-grandfather, brother and uncle. He was a friend you could count on. He was a mentor to many.
You could always hear him say “It’s easier to ask for forgiveness than it is to ask for permission” and “ya can’t fix stupid.”
Our family would like to ask that in lieu of flowers, any donations be made to Assured Home Health and Hospice, 114 S. Pioneer Way, Moses Lake, Washington 98837 in his name. Our family’s gratitude for his full-time nurses Carissa and Holly cannot be expressed with words. His entire team was amazing.
We will hold a memorial service for Larry later after the quarantine is lifted and we can gather together to honor this amazing man.
“The good Lord whispered in your ear, He’d heard your simple request, I’m sending your guardian cowboy angels to ride along with you. Their faces are familiar, they’ve taken this ride before, your horse is saddled and ready, it’s time for you to go. The trail I have prepared, I carved it just for you. So take this final ride, I’ll be here waiting for you. Your open range is waiting, it’s right through heaven’s gates. Your time on earth was worthy, your life on earth complete, it’s time for eternal resting, cowboy, your time on earth is through. Jump one foot in the stirrup and swing that leg over the other side, and when you take those reins that pain and suffering will completely subside, You’ll feel a warmth come over you and a peacefulness inside, that’s My love and comfort as you take that final ride.”
Please express your thoughts and memories for the family at www.kayserschapel.com. Arrangements are under the care of Kayser’s Chapel of Memories.