In early adulthood he was a youth pastor in Richland. He then moved back to Downey, CA and served as the youth pastor at the same church that his great grandparents had attended. While in California, he obtained a Bachelor’s degree from Life Pacific University in Southern California. He then began working for English Language Institute/China and eventually became the Mobilization Director of Camp China. He loved this work that allowed him to travel around Asia and work with students and educators. He moved with the company to Colorado. In 2010 he returned to the Tri-Cities. He started his career in the wine industry at Hamilton Cellars on Red Mountain in 2012. He was there for 13 years and worked his way up to General Manager until the winery was sold and closed this past spring. He most recently was using his expertise to help the newly formed Desert Moon Winery in Prosser open its tasting room.

Larry had a strong interest in politics and ran for local public office several times in recent years. As an independent he felt that “both major parties only focus on making the other side lose so that we all end up losing in the end.” He was also an advocate of term limits and wanted to “make sure the city treated everyone equally, no matter their finances, origin, past, age, race or culture.”

Larry is survived by his parents Fran and Larry Stanley of Richland, his sisters Pamela (Chris) Barry, of Hood River, OR, and Lori (Mike) VerMulm of Prosser and his nephews Matthew and Zachary Whiteman of Hood River, OR. He is also survived by extended family including aunts, uncles, and cousins. He will be missed by his family and friends.

A private celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorial donations can be made in Larry’s name to your local Food Bank.