LAWRENCE MELVIN "LARRY" DAWES ~ Class of 1954
December 19, 1935 - October 17, 2008





Larry passed away at home on October 17, 2008 after a valiant battle with colon cancer. He was born December 19, 1935, in St. Louis, MO to Frank and Mary Kitchens Dawes.

Larry came to Richland with his parents in 1944 where his father worked on the Manhattan Project at Hanford. Larry graduated from Columbia High School in 1954. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in November of 1954 and served 4 years as an Air Policeman, stationed in Las Vegas, NV. He was honorably discharged in January 1959 and shortly thereafter met the love of his life, Pauline Lively. They were married on September 4, 1959 in Richland and sealed in the Oakland, CA LDS Temple on December 12, 1967.

Larry attended Columbia Basin College where he graduated in Engineering Technology.

His career as an Instrumentation Engineer took him to a variety of locations throughout the west and mid-west. While living in Kentucky, Larry was commissioned an Honorable Kentucky Colonel by Governor Wendel H. Ford on July 9, 1974. He retired in 2003 from Washington Group International, after working at the Umatilla Chemical Depot.

He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in a variety of positions over the years.

Larry is survived by his wife of 49 years, Pauline, of West Richland, son Michael and wife Gabbi of Temecula, CA; daughter Susan Ricciardi and husband, Jon, of Kennewick; son Matthew and wife, Julie, of Pasco; and daughter Julie Zirker and husband, Kent, of Pasco. He is survived by grandchildren: Allyson Dawes, Sydney and Natalie Ricciardi; Evan, Emily and Kaylie Dawes; and Ethan and Jenna Zirker. He is also survived by sister-in-law, Linda Dawes of Wildomar, CA, and numerous extended family members.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Frank ('52).

Viewing will be Tuesday, October 21st, from 5pm to 8pm at Einan's Funeral Home, 915 Bypass Hwy, Richland, WA. Funeral services will be Wednesday, October, 22nd, 11am at the LDS Paradise Chapel, 4500 Paradise, West Richland, WA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the LDS Humanitarian Services or Tri-Cities Hospice.

Guest Book