Obituary: Harding, Larry Dean
Age 70
September 27, 1941-March 21, 2012
Larry lost his long battle with cancer on March 21, 2012, at age 70.
In his final days, he moved from Pasco, WA to Spokane and was surrounded by the love of his family.
Born in Colville, and raised in Chewelah, Washington, Larry graduated from Jenkins High School with the class of 1961.
Shortly after his graduation he was drafted into the Army where he was responsible for teaching entire companies of men to ride and jump for the U.S. Pentathlon Team.
After his discharge, his love of horses led him to become a jockey, racing quarter horses throughout the United States and Canada.
He rode such memorable athletes as Devil Who, Figurine, Diamond Sun Joe and Miss Top Time.
He also rode Appaloosa champions such as the remarkable Time Flies and Scooter.
Larry retired from racing in 1986 after his final winning ride aboard a mount at his home track in Kennewick, WA.
In later years, he worked in the construction industry and was later employed at the Hanford Test Site in the Tri-Cities area.
Upon his retirement he was employed by Del Sol, Inc., a U. S. Parks Service contractor, and remained there until he became ill.
Larry is survived by sons Shane, California, Steven (Sarah), Tracy, CA, Miah (Willow), Silverdale, WA, Trapper (Michelle), Richland, WA, grandchildren: Brandon, Danielle, Allyssa, Ashley, Alexa, Kayley, and Blake; long-time friend Yvonne Stredwick; brothers and sisters: Alberta Crowell (Ken), Shirley Cook (Bob), Spokane, WA; Jeanne Douglass (Doug), Carson City, NV; Jim (Karlene) and Tyke (Bobby), Republic, WA; Sharon Phillips (Fred), Chewelah, WA; JoDee Morelli (John), Renton, WA; Skip of Spokane, WA; Danny (Nancy), Chewelah, WA, Sister in law Sally Harding, and many nieces and nephews.
Larry was preceded in death by his father, Emil; mother, Mary; and brother, Warren, along with two of Warren’s sons, Warren Jr. and Roger.
Larry was the middle child of eleven, and jokester of the family, no one was immune from his “surprise” antics.
Cattle prods, horse shockers, and insulation in the bed, were only a few of his attention getters for terrorizing younger members of the family.
Larry will be laid to rest at the Veterans’ Cemetery in Spokane.
A memorial will be held in Blue Creek, WA in July of 2012.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, gifts be made to the American Cancer Society or Hospice of Spokane, 121 S. Arthur Street, Spokane, WA 99202.
There’s a riderless horse on the track today,
As brother Larry was whisked away.
An empty saddle on the jock room wall today,
As brother Larry was whisked away.
On a gifted horse he rode away,
As family and friends watched him join
The riders in the sky with tears in their eyes,
They said “there he goes”, on the other side
They shouted glee, “here he comes”
Goodbye Larry.
We will join you in “The Winners Circle”