Obituary for Larry Sather, printed in the Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA, April 28, 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. Although our hearts are broken, we find our peace in knowing there is no more pain and sufffering.
Born on August 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 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. Larry 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. His grandfather, aka "Ace" Sanderlin, was a world-renowned dog trainer. Larry always wanted to learn and was able to gain knowledge he would use in the training of his own working cow dogs. He was a natural training both dogs and horses.
In May 1963 while on a visit to his parents' home and going on a job interview, he happened to be "cruising town" when he came across a girl who stole his heart. On October 5 that same year, Anita L. Clymer would become his wife, best friend and soulmate for the next 56 years.
Larry was a lineman by trade. He and Anita spent the first few years with their girls betweeen Washington and Oregon while he worked for powerline erectors used for assembling the highline powerlines. When he decided it was time to settle down to give his family a stable home in which to be raised, Larry took a position with Mountain Electric, which brought them to Cle Elum, WA. They purchased their first home in Roslyn, WA and this is where his early "cowboy" roots took hold again. Mountain trips by horseback soon became a regular family affair, as well as his particpaton in Washington state gaming events.
In 1972, Larry accepted a career-long position with the Grant County PUD. He retired in 2002. He had so much pride in his work ethic and the ability to remain with the same profession. Based out of Royal City, WA, he and Anita raised their two daughters, Denyse and Brenda. In 1981, they settled in their home for 39 years in Smyma, WA. After retirement, Lary focused full-time on his lifetime passions of horse and cow dog training. He enjoyed being a part of all the cattle drives, brandings and helping on ranches.
Family was everything to Larry. Nothing made him prouder than their success. From his daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren, he encouraged their individuality. Wherever their interests took them he would find a way to learn all about them. Supporting them was what he was there to do. From traveling to school rodeos, to taking them camping and fishing, from graduations to band concerts, he wanted to be there and he did so with pride.
Larry's hobbies included training horses and cow dogs, team roping, operating and selling his own small cattle herd, flyfishing, camping, square dancing, teaching himself MS Excel on the computer, woodworking and, probably most important, "rigging." He loved "rigging" a solution to a situation with whatever he had on hand at the time.
Larry is survived by his wife Anita of 56 years; daughters Denyse Ottmar (Joe) of Moses Lake, WA and Brenda Schriener (Bill) of Spokane, WA; grandchildren Kayla Naccarato (T.C.) of Benton City, WA, Coy Ottmar of Moses Lake, WA, Amanda Wade (Andrew) of Pomeroy, WA, Barret Drew (Taylor) of Moses Lake, WA; great grandchildren Annie Drew, Greyson Wade and Jolena Naccarato; sister Sharon Marshall (Wayne) of Duvall, WA; 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 loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and uncle. He was a friend you could count on and 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."
His family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Assured Home Health and Hospice in his name, located at 114 S. Pioneer Way, Moses Lake, WA 98837. Our family’s gratitude for his full-time nurses Carissa and Holly cannot be expressed with words. His entire health care team was amazing.
A memorial service for Larry will be held after the quarantine is lifted and we can gather to honor this amazing man.
"The good Lord whispered in your ear, He'd heard our 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 the 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."
The obituary, photos and a page to leave remembrances are at the website of Kayser's Chapel of Memories.
