Obituary of Larry R. Childers

Psssst . . . where would you be if I hadn’t have called you? This was one of Larry Childers’ favorite quips. It epitomizes his dry sense of humor that so many came to love. Not one to waste words, when Larry wasn’t charming with a smirk and a smile, he was providing pearls of wisdom that came from a lifetime of experiences. All who became part of his world understand that this self-made, hard working man placed the needs of all those he cared about above his own, and that he had a unique way of figuring out and providing for their individual needs and likes. Losing such a man is devastating, but his impressive life must be celebrated.

 

Larry R. Childers was born November 16, 1943, in Cairo, Illinois, to Russell and Helen Childers. Later, he moved to Miami, Florida, with his mother and sister. There is where he met the love of his life, Lela Geyer. He always said he knew from the moment he met her, that she was “the one.” Upon graduation from Miami High School in 1960, Larry enlisted in the Marine Corps, serving as a Sergeant in Vietnam from 1962 to 1966. After his discharge, he wasted no time and married his childhood crush, Lela, in Miami Springs on July 8, 1966. The young couple started their family in Florida, where daughters Toni and Tracie were born before moving west to California in 1975, where they would complete their family with the births of Terri and Kelli. In 1988, Larry launched his business, Four Star Accessory Overhaul, and then moved the business and family to Olympia/Tumwater, Washington, in 1995. Over the years, Larry built Four Star into a leader in the industry and was especially proud to be one of the few certified repair centers in the Lockheed Martin Hologram Products program. Larry also became a leading member, and past president, of Tumwater Rotary. He took great pride in service and was particularly known for his skills making hand-dipped corn dogs for events serviced by Rotary.

 

Caring and loyal, Larry was the ultimate family man and “girl dad.” Additionally, if you were important to a member of his family, you were important to him. Instilling those same values in his children, so many have gravitated to and been affected by the Childers. As a result, there are many outside of his immediate family who revered him greatly. Whether he was out shooting with his grandkids, grilling and carving up perfect servings of meat, or just sitting back with his favorite drink, Larry’s joy and focus was on the people around him. One of his daughter’s friends illustrated this in tribute by thanking him “for showing what a real dad can be to his kids and wife.” In recent years, Larry took his love of woodworking to a new level. His garage became his workshop, where he of course crafted unique and beautiful gifts specific to those he was making them for. That is how he lived his life. There was no greater compliment than to hear him say, “Welcome to the family.”

 

Larry passed surrounded by his loving family on February 14, 2021. He is survived by his wife, Lela; daughters, Toni Hull (Kevin), Tracie Schaefer (Mike), Terri Beth Childers Montgomery (Ian), and Kelli Mellows (Karl); grandchildren, Austin Hull (Jessica), Nathan Hull (Shawnna), Olivia Hull, Ellie Schaefer, Kylie Schaefer, Ryann Montgomery, and River Montgomery; great grandchildren, Ava Hull and Colton Hull; sister, Sandra Westcoat; and brother, Jon Keller. 

 

Our family has lost its pillar but is strong, happy and resilient because of him. He will live on in all of us as we move forward together. We do so knowing that, with Larry in our hearts, there will be “a little extra something in our Christmas stockings.”

 

A memorial service celebrating Larry’s life will be held at a later date, at the business he built, Four Star Accessory Overhaul. (There will be corn dogs!)

 

In lieu of flowers or gifts, please send donations to Tumwater Rotary, P. O. Box 4380, Tumwater, WA 98501.

 

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