Larry L. Gast Sr.

Larry is survived by his children, Larry L. (Patty) Gast II, Jeff A. (Patti) Gast, and Angie R. (Steve) Salais; grandchildren, Jeff Jr., Michelle, AuBrie, Sarah, Larry III, Danny, Johnny and, Nikki, and great grandchildren, Vinny, Gavin, Breann, Connor, Megan, Maddox, Maximus, Jeffrey, McKenna, Isabel. He is also survived by his sister, Beverly Williams, and many nieces and nephews.

Larry is preceded in death by his wife Sandy (nee Miller), siblings Norm, Carol and John Jay, and son-in-law, Dan Rosenau Sr.

Raised in Plymouth and South Bend, Ind., Larry moved to Phoenix for the first time in 1956 where he joined the Navy. After completing boot camp in San Diego, and radio operator/repair school, he served honorably as a radioman throughout the Pacific on the USS Floyd B. Parks (DD-884) and was stationed on Adak, Alaska and Treasure Island, San Francisco. After military service, he returned to South Bend in 1960 and met the love of his life, Sandy R. Miller. They were married on March 10, 1962, until her death on June 8, 1998.

During his early years of marriage, Larry put his Navy electronics training to work repairing and servicing jukeboxes and vending equipment throughout the Michiana area with several vending companies. He also completed a business accounting education at the South Bend College of Commerce while celebrating the birth of his two sons. Eventually, Larry became the service manager for Carl Zimmer Vending, the largest vending operator at the time in Northern Indiana.

By 1975, Larry was looking for new opportunities. His growing family now included the addition of a daughter. He and Sandy decided to move to Phoenix. Almost immediately, he found work in a position he loved as sales manager for Rowe International, a large vending equipment distributor. Everything appeared to be perfect, except that his wife and kids were so homesick, he reluctantly moved them back to South Bend. In no time, Larry and Sandy realized Phoenix offered greater promise and after a few months they returned to Phoenix. Larry even got his position back with Rowe only to be transferred to Houston, Texas, a few months later. A few U-Haul moves later, Larry returned with his family to Arizona, where he started his own business — a successful amusement and vending company named Allied Amusements.

In 1977, Larry began operating his own video game, jukebox and pinball coin-operated equipment in numerous locations including the Golden Eight Ball, Phoenix & Glendale community colleges, Grandpa’s Pizza, Pagano’s, SuperMat laundromats, the main U.S. post office in east Phoenix, and in theaters and game rooms throughout the Valley. Later on, he and Sandy branched out into soft-drink & snack vending with ABC Vending, and, finally, into bulk vending with Sandy’s Candies. Throughout 40 years of operation, Larry was known for honest business dealings, service, and integrity. Many of his business relationships with numerous associates and business owners became lifelong friendships, a true hallmark of success.

Outside of work, Larry enjoyed music (the Platters, Chuck Berry and Brenda Lee); sailing with first-mate & daughter Angie since Sandy feared the sailboat would capsize on windy Lake Pleasant (it never did); the occasional pull of a one-arm bandit just for fun; Notre Dame football; sailing on luxury cruises with Sandy in Hawaii and Pacific, and going to church with his son’s family. He also loved the company of his family whether at work with the business, birthday parties, holidays, and all backyard get togethers. A good day for Larry was getting to visit, know and talk to people.

Family and friends are invited to services on Wednesday, December 15, 2021 at West Resthaven Funeral Home; 6450 W. Northern Avenue in Glendale. A visitation will begin at 12:00PM, and funeral service will immediately follow at 12:30PM. Larry will be laid to rest with Sandy at Resthaven Park Cemetery following services.