Lawrence Edward Wilkerson

Lawrence Edward WILKERSON Larry died on November 27, 2009 in Olympia, WA. He was 92 and had lived a long and fulfilling life.Larry was born August 27, 1917 in Walthill, Nebraska to Thomas and Rosa Mae Wilkerson. He grew up on a farm and as a young adult moved to Denver, Colorado. There he met the love of his life, Sarah Smith, whom he married on July 20, 1940. During World War II, Larry served in the Army where he spent time in Guam. Following military service, Larry returned to Denver where he worked for many years at a local camera store, developing a love for photography and the outdoors. He and Sarah started their family in Denver and eventually moved to Rapid City, S.D. where Larry worked in the printing business for many years. While in Rapid City they took up square dancing which they continued to enjoy for over 50 years. In 1967 the family moved to Eugene, OR where Larry continued in the printing business and eventually retired. While living in the Pacific Northwest Larry was introduced to fly fishing, creating a new outdoor hobby which included building rods, tying flies, building a small boat and letting many big ones get away.After retiring Larry and Sarah took to traveling the country with a passion in their VW camper van: back and forth across the U.S. (including Alaska) and Canada engaging in sight seeing, hiking, attending square dance conventions, camping and visiting friends and family. With fly rod and camera in hand Larry spent nearly 25 years traveling and enjoying his passions. For their 50th wedding anniversary, Larry and Sarah enjoyed no fewer than eight receptions and parties around the country at relatives and friends homes, family reunions plus a large surprise party in Eugene. In 2007 Larry and Sarah moved to Olympia Washington to be closer to their children. Larry still walked hand in hand with Sarah after nearly 70 years of marriage.Larry is survived by his wife, Sarah, daughters Janette (Bill) Adamucci, Linda (Ed) Greenly, and Diane (Sami) Alaeddine and son, Tom, grandsons Karim and Joseph, granddaughter, Mecca, great-grandson Quinn, sisters Lorena and Catherine, and numerous nieces and nephews.A memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to Unity of the Valley, 3912 Dillard Road, Eugene, OR 97405-4563.Arrangements under the direction of Mills & Mills Funeral Home and Memorial Park, Tumwater, WA.