Lorne Wheelon

May 3, 1915 ~ Feb. 5, 2011

Larry Wheelon passed away on Saturday, February 5, 2011, in Gresham, Oregon. He was born on May 3, 1915 in Salida, Colorado to Martha Louise and Lorne Fredrick Wheelon. He was the first of two children. Lorne’s mother, Louise, and his younger brother, Fred, moved to Portland soon after his father’s tragic death in 1916.

As a young man, Larry was in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, and earned his Eagle Scout award in the minimum time possible. Larry kept in close contact with these friends and cherished his many friendships throughout his life time. His acts of kindness were demonstrated in many ways over and over.

Larry attended Franklin High School, where he graduated in 1933. He then attended the University of Oregon and was a member of Phi Gamma Delta. He began his career in the optical business as a delivery boy for Butterfields Wholesale Jewelry, in downtown Portland. He advanced to making sales calls and increased the optical department from four to thirteen employees. In 1942, Larry bought the optical department at Butterfields. He took in two partners and thus, Paramount Optical Labs was founded. After a few years, this partnership was dissolved and Opti-Craft, Inc. and Opti-Con, Inc. was created.

Larry is in the Hall of Fame of the National Academy of Optometry and has been on the Board of Directors of the Optical Wholesale Assn., and the Better Vision Institute. He also served as a Director at Tolovana Inn.

Larry was a member of the Multnomah Athletic Club for fifty-six years and the Columbia River Yacht Club for forty years. His happiest times were spent boating with his family and many friends. He crossed the Columbia River bar 465 times, made six trips to the San Juan Islands, and eight trips to Alaska. Larry leaves us many cherished memories. He will be greatly missed.

Larry is survived by his wife, Genevieve; brother, Fred; sons, Robert and Byron; daughters, Shirley Murphy, Sandra Tauer, and Judith Bennett; 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

A public viewing will be held from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Thursday, February 10, 2011, and a funeral service at 1:00 p.m. Friday, February 11, 2011, in Lincoln Memorial Park and Funeral Home. 11801 SE Mt. Scott Blvd. Portland, OR. 97086.