Lawrence 'Larry' Mardis

Lawrence "Larry" Mardis, age 79 beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend died suddenly Saturday, March 14 at his home in Elgin OR, resulting from complications following surgery.

A Celebration of his life will be held in LaGrande this coming summer.

Larry was born on April 16, 1935 in Elgin Oregon to Lawrence W. and Blodwin (Swingle) Mardis. He was raised and educated in Elgin. On October 24, 1951 he married Phyllis McMahan in Pendleton and they resided in La Grande, OR. They moved to Horseshoe Bend, Idaho in 1961 where he worked at the Boise Cascade sawmill for 37 years; on his retirement in 1998 he was the head saw filer.
Larry loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman and woodsman. He was happiest when he was on the river, in the woods hunting or cutting wood. He believed in and supported the National Rifle Association and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and was a long time member of both. He also loved his family first and treated everyone like family! When he was at home he was very adept at creating and building. In his shop he created anything he set his mind to, including three functional cannons!
Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Phyllis Mardis of Elgin; children and their spouses, Lawrence "Lonnie" and Debra Mardis of Seattle, Linda and Tom Stricklin of Clarkston, WA, Lori and Doug Smith of La Grande; 9 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren (with two more in the oven); other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Jack Mardis, 6 half brothers and 4 half sisters. He was much loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Contributions in memory of Larry may be made to the National Rifle Association or the Rocky Mountain Elk Association.
A complete obituary and online guest register are available at www.danielsknopp.com

Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center in La Grande.

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