Larry Lee Johnstone's Obituary
Larry Lee Johnstone
Larry Lee Johnstone was born October 24, 1950 to Murray Lloyd and Ada Ilene Johnstone née Maxson in Pendleton, Oregon. He passed away December 21, 2010 at the age of 60 in Portland, Oregon.
Larry attended Columbia Academy in Battleground, Washington, graduating in 1968. After this, he served three years in the U.S. Navy, then returned to his schooling. He graduated from Portland State University in 1975 with a major in History and a minor in English.
Larry went on to work at the United States Postal Service for 20+ years, first as a clerk and then as a letter carrier; it was the latter that he truly grew to love. He made friends along his route and helped brighten peoples' days while bringing them their mail.
In 2003, Larry retired from the Postal Service and began a soul search for new endeavors to fulfill him. Among these new hobbies were World of Warcraft ? at which he proudly excelled ? at the suggestion of his youngest daughter. Finding this to be insufficiently fulfilling, Larry then joined both the Amani Center in St. Helens, Oregon and served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate CASA. Eventually, he even took up jewelry making, doting upon his four daughters and loving wife several pieces of his own invention.
Larry touched many lives in his quiet and loving way; though to first appearance a reserved man, in more intimate settings, he was kind-hearted and jovial and beyond that full of compassion and care for those around him. His presence was a staple at a number of community establishments, including the St. Helen's Starbucks, where Larry had his own signature drink a "Larry" is a cup filled to the brim with ice containing four shots of espresso and just a bit of water to top it off.
Larry's survivors include his wife Deborah Ann née South, whom he married in Ashland, Oregon on January 14, 1984; daughters Lisa Michelle Vanderwiel, Rebecca Bernice Kathrein, Sarah Jean Johnstone, and Lindsey Abigail Grace Johnstone; grandchildren Caleb Lee Mattoon, Caitlin Michelle Mattoon, Joshua Murray Kathrein, and Ryen Jean Vanderwiel; and sisters Carol Marie Johnstone and Kathryn Ilene Johnstone.
The family requests donations be made to the Amani Center http://www.amanicenter.org/donate.cfm.
Memorial services were held December 28, 2010 at Columbia River Foursquare Church.
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