Lawrence W. Whitfield

Lawrence W. Whitfield of Monroe, Washington passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 93 in the early hours of April 24, 2023. Larry, affectionately known as Sonny in his youth, made his debut in this world in Bellingham on January 31, 1930 as the first child of Lawrence and Marion Whitfield. The young family moved to Monroe just three years later when Lawrence Sr became a partner at Purdy & Kerr Funeral Home, then known as Purdy & Whitfield. The Whitfield family actually lived at the funeral home in an apartment located inside the business. Larry attended Monroe schools where he met the love of his life, Darlene Andrews, and the high school sweethearts graduated together in 1948. After graduation, Larry attended Central Washington University before joining the Army during the Korean War. Larry and Darlene were married on October 17th, 1950 and Larry joined his father in the insurance business after Lawrence Sr left the funeral home business to start a new venture in insurance. Larry and Darlene had five children, Bill, Chuck, Tim, Mark and Susan. Sadly, Mark passed away in 1970 at age 8 and Larry and Darlene never really got over his death because a parent should never outlive their child. Larry and Darlene raised their children on a 40-acre farm on Old Owen. A gentle man of gentlemen, Larry had a full and loving life with a huge list of accomplishments and he touched many people’s lives. He had a decades long insurance career, he served as a member of the Lions Club, he was a real estate agent, he was a bus driver for Monroe School District, he served on the Monroe School Board, he and his friends started a bank in Duvall, he was an avid antique hunter especially if it was Mutt & Jeff, he loved old cars, he loved all four of his John Deeres, he loved stopping and talking to babies and he loved visiting with everyone. It was his great joy to sit at his daughter’s deli and visit with all the customers as he sat at this table eating his daily cup of soup. He loved being at his son’s licensing office and visiting with all the customers coming in. Most of all he loved and cherished his family as we loved and cherished him. After 52 years of marriage, his wife, Darlene, passed away in 2003 then Larry met and married Alberta Boreson. Bertie and her four children and their families became part of Larry’s family. Larry was preceded in death by his wife Darlene and their son Mark. He is survived by his son Bill and his wife Jan, son Chuck and his wife Nancy, son Tim and his wife Sarah and daughter Susan as well as Alberta and her four children and spouses and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren on both sides of the family. Larry also leaves behind two brothers, Dave and his wife Rosie and Don and his wife Debbie. A Celebration of Life will be held June 1st, 2023 at 3:30 pm at The Church at Monroe located at 16910 161st Ave SE Snohomish, WA. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Monroe Historical Society.