Larry DeForest 1944 - 2018

Francis Larry DeForest of Sisters passed away May 10, in Bend, surrounded by his wife, children, and extended family. Larry was born in Boise in 1944 and grew up in Bruneau, Idaho. He married his childhood sweetheart, Letha Yates, in 1964. He served as a diesel mechanic on the USS Pomfret, a naval submarine, during Vietnam.

After being honorably discharged from the Navy, Larry and his family moved to Sisters, where he was a heavy-equipment operator in the logging and construction industries for more than 40 years. An avid hunter, he looked forward to going to elk camp every year with his family and also enjoyed hunting deer and game birds whenever the opportunity arose. Larry was a volunteer firefighter and ambulance driver with the Sisters Fire Department. At age 56, as part of his rehabilitation from bypass surgery, he climbed the South Sister, the first of three trips he would make to the summit. He and his rehab buddies also participated in the 2002 Pole-Pedal-Paddle event in Bend.

He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend and neighbor. He will be remembered for his prowess as a heavy-equipment operator, his ability to fix anything, his work ethic and his willingness to lend a hand to anyone in need.

Larry is survived by his wife, Letha; sister, Karen DeForest; brother, Lance Brown; son and daughter-in-law, Asa and Mindy DeForest; daughter, Laurel Davidson; grandchildren Josh Davidson and Kelsey Davidson; great-grandson Dawson Davidson; and future granddaughter-in-law Teague Teece.

A Celebration of Life service is planned for 1 p.m. on June 2 at FivePine Lodge & Conference Center, 1021 Desperado Trail in Sisters. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a donation to your favorite charity in Larry's memory.