Lawrence Newton “Larry” Hayes died March 25, 2015, at home in the Pine Grove community of Hood River, Ore. Larry left us knowing he was truly loved by all his family and friends.

He was born June 10, 1944, in Baker, Ore., to Gilbert “George” and Anna Laura (Kinne) Hayes. Growing up he lived in Stanfield, Ore., and Hermiston, Ore.

Larry moved to Hood River his eighth-grade year and attended Mid Valley School, where he became true and fast friends with Mike Goe, Terry Andresen and Dave Peyton. He graduated from Wy’east High School in 1962. He always said that he attended college at the “School of Hard Knocks,” meaning he was a self-taught man.

Larry married Kenna Maury Sept. 19, 1962, in Hood River, and they had two sons: Randy and Rob Hayes. They later divorced.

He married Dianne (Troxel) Moore on Dec. 1, 1977, in Hood River, and in this marriage he gained two daughters: Reka and Julie; and Dianne gained two sons. Larry and Dianne were married for 37 years until the time of his death.

In earlier years Larry worked at Kerns Furniture Factory in Pilot Rock, Ore., and at Neal Creek Mill, and during his off time worked for Vern Picking, who would become like a second dad to him, at the Pine Grove Texaco.
Larry would go to work for Bickford Orchards Inc. in 1965 and after a short period of time would become their foreman. This year would mark his 50 years with Bickford’s. Larry always said that he was going to farm until he got it right and he did in 2012, when Bickford’s took top grade, first in pool for Bosc, Anjous and Bartletts with Stadelman’s.

Larry spent as much time as possible with Dianne, doing things together, and spending time with his kids and grandkids. He loved hunting, fishing, golfing, going to yard sales, camping, playing cribbage, and tinkering around the house where you would find him in the basement, the travel trailer, out in the yard, etc. Dianne and Larry enjoyed trips to the Oregon Coast.

Larry was a member of the Pine Grove Fire Department for 33 years; the Hood River Men’s Golf Association, winning the club championship in 1987; and Hood River Elks Lodge. He spent many years at Pine Grove School with the four kids, helped with the school carnival, and never thought he’d get done calling bingo!
Larry always thought his greatest achievement was being able to take care of his family and friends. He was known for his sense of humor and for being a jokester – so much so that his family had to limit him to “Sundays only.”

Larry is survived by his wife, Dianne Hayes, of Hood River; sons Randy (Valerie) Hayes, of Hood River, and Rob (Tonia) Hayes, of Husum, Wash.; daughters Reka (Tom) Sieverkropp and Julie (Josh) Dillingham, both of Hood River; 10 grandchildren: Maddie Hayes and friend Tom McAndrews, of Huron, S.D., Hayden King, of Hood River, Anthony Hayes and Amber Hayes, of Husum, Ryan, Austin and Weston Sieverkropp, of Hood River, and Bailey Hammel and Gracee and Kloee Dillingham, of Hood River; his mother-in-law (Mom) Lucille Troxel, of Hood River; daughter-in-law Melissa Hayes, of Hood River; sister-in-law Nita Applegate, of Hood River; nieces Nikki (Adam) Webb and family, of Hood River, and Jodi Applegate and family, of Cornelius, Ore.; brother-in-law Dwayne (Jeannie) Troxel and Mark, Mara and Lydia, of Parkdale, Ore.; and good friends Maxine Long and family and George and Charlene Fort, all of Hood River.

He was preceded in death by his father, Gilbert “George” Hayes; mother, Anna Laura Hayes; brothers Delbert Hayes, Louie Applegate and Willis “Bud” Hayes; and father-in-law Darrel Troxel.

A graveside service will be held Friday, April 3, at 3 p.m. at the Pine Grove Cemetery. Gary Willis, longtime family friend, will speak. A reception will follow at the Mount Hood Winery in Hood River. Those who are not able to attend the graveside service are invited to join us at the winery when you can for a “Larry-Style” party.

Those who choose to make a donation in honor of Larry may do so to the Pine Grove Fire Department.
The family wishes to thank the following people for their excellent medical care and treatment: Dr. Marc Jacobs at the Oregon Clinic; Dr. Kathy Grewe with Providence Cardiology; and all the doctors, nurses and staff at Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital.
We all loved him and he will be truly missed!

Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations) 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031.