Lawrence Vern "Larry" Monagon

Lawrence Vern Monagon
March 15, 1955 - February 25, 2016

Like a Rock!

My hands were steady
My eyes were clear and bright
My walk had purpose
My steps were quick and light
And I held firmly
To what I felt was right
Like a rock

Larry was born to Leslie Lewis Monagon and Gladsie Huntley Monagon in Johnson City New York, an hour's drive from their family home in Groton. He moved to Phoenix Arizona with his family when he was three years old. From there he moved to Lyle Washington where he spent his pre-teen years and later moved to the Beaverton/Aloha area where he graduated from Aloha High School.

Larry continued his education at Oregon College of Education and received his Bachelor of Science degree in social sciences in 1978. In 1981 received his Master of Science degree at the University of Portland.

Larry met his wife Dawn while he was attending college and they were married in Beaverton in 1979. Together they raised kids in the Beaverton area. In 1996 he moved to Keizer to craft an olive business. Larry continued to work full time for Multnomah County until his retirement.

Larry went on to a 30-plus year career in Corrections. Even after retirement he maintained his ties and continued to work on a temporary or part-time basis in the corrections field. He enjoyed his colleagues and was proud of his profession. In terms of purpose, his career was very successful.

Larry grew up with six siblings, sisters Cindy and Sheila, and brothers Ivin (deceased), Lester, Kenny and Eugene. His parents passed before him.

For 60 years Larry never doubted what he was capable of or what he could do. If it needed to be done, he did it. If he saw someone in the grocery store reaching for something off the top shelf, he stopped his conversation and assisted. If he saw someone fall, he was first to provide aid. If someone needed to move, he provided assistance and a pickup truck. Seems like he never questioned where he was going or what he was doing. He absorbed life's interferences and kept on track without faltering.

Larry enjoyed his friends and family and never neglected an opportunity to gather and party. Many times he initiated celebrations and family reunions. He liked to travel and either went with friends and family, or went to visit family and friends. Larry was in the process of planning a driving trip across the USA, realizing he could see the entire county and use that as a long overdue opportunity to visit family and friends.

He never backed down from new adventures, scuba diving, snorkeling, bee keeping, growing olives, or raising teenagers. If he was traveling and saw something interesting, he pulled over to read the road signs. He liked to visit the museum, or sit and visit with the locals.

He embraced marriage, he was honored to stand as best man for his nephew James and walked down the aisle with his niece Debby. He deliver the marriage vows for his niece, Mikala and would have gladly provided his wisdom and marriage services to anyone he thought was ready for their marriage vows. Larry felt privileged to be asked to preside at upcoming family weddings and took that responsibility very seriously.

Larry loved kids. He provided parental guidance to many adolescents including Michael (Craig), a son, James a nephew; Samuel a nephew, and Jordan a great nephew. The list continues with all the kids, nieces and nephews Larry was connected with and proud of. As generations were born he was reminded of the energy and enthusiasm kids brought to a home. He loved to have kids share with him the joy of camping, fishing, hunting, and hiking. He appreciated wildlife and liked to arrange a yearly feeding and viewing of the elk at the Jewel Wildlife Refuge for family and friends to enjoy. He liked to explore. He liked to attend school graduations. He enjoyed visiting museums. All this he could do endlessly. He took pride in the announcement of a family wedding or birth. After all, that is what life is all about.

Larry enjoyed all of his accomplishments. He volunteered with many organizations including Oregon Hunter Education, where he was selected as Oregon Instructor of the Year in 1995, Fishing Education, Keizer Grange, Keizer Elks, and St. Vincent School. He bragged about his high school and college years and the long term friendships he retained from those years. These were the years that shaped Larry into the man we remember. He firmed up his loyalty, friendship and belief in right and wrong and continued to be a positive force and competitor in life.

Larry was proud of his accomplishments, his life, his beliefs, his religion, his friends and very proud of his family name. There is a lot to be learned from Larry's approach to life. He remains "Like a Rock!"

The family would suggest that if you are considering a memorial donation, you can direct it to St. Vincent de Paul School in Salem, a terrific school where Jordan Waters attends 5th grade.

All family and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Celebration of Life for Larry on May 1, 2016, from 2-5 p.m., at the Keizer Elks Lodge. The family would consider your attendance an honor.

Farnstrom Mortuary is handling arrangements. Memories and condolences at FarnstromMortuary.com.