Larry J. Vanboeyen

Larry lived life in the fast lane, literally. He was born in Mitchell, SD but really started to develop a need for speed when his family relocated to Manchester, WA in 1953. The family home was on a hill, a perfect place to race go-carts, buggies, or anything with wheels. And of course, contraptions Larry built were always the fastest when competing with his older brother Lyle and friends!

School was just a place to learn about cars so needless to say, Auto Shop was Larry’s favorite class. He fudged his age on an application to join the Saint’s Car Club in 1959. Although he was only a freshman in high school, the organization valued his potential and welcomed him as a member. Larry’s first car was a 1942 Ford that he modified and drove to South Kitsap High School prior to graduating in 1962.

Larry’s first jobs were of course, working for various local car repair garages. He also joined the Handlers Racing Association and Car Club, which governs area drag racing, in 1963 and then built and drove many cars in a variety of classes. Included were a 1957 Ford in the stock class, a 1954 Ford in the modified production class and three different front-engine dragsters in the gas classes. While a “Handler,” Larry served as the club’s vice president for two years and the technical director who was required to know and understand all the governing rules at Bremerton Race Track.

In 1965 Larry married and purchased his first home. Of course, he had a garage for fixing and rebuilding his cars which quickly became a hang-out for fellow car monkeys. When his family started to grow with the birth of daughter Lisa Anne in 1966 and Sheri Lyn in 1968, Larry decided it was time to get a more stable job. He became a career journeyman welder at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. Larry excelled as a nuclear welder and eventually became an instructor at the shipyard’s nuclear weld school. He received numerous awards for outstanding service before retiring in 1993.

Larry would always make time for “his girls” so his pace slowed a bit when it came to family. Lisa and Sheri have many special childhood memories especially summers spent at the family cabin at Long Lake and traveling via motorhome to different locations. Special recollections include learning how to water ski, riding on his motorcycle, and the numerous camping trips to Potholes State Park where they raced around in the dune buggy he constructed. As Larry’s family grew, he enjoyed having a loving, fun relationship with his grandchildren. Certainly, Larry’s daughters are the best of him and were his greatest love.

In 2018 Larry married Dee Grable after a short 23-year courtship. During their time together they went on many adventures, several trips to Puerto Vallarta, then decided to buy a truck and trailer and made numerous trips to various destinations. They really enjoyed traveling and exploring new places, and always brought their dog, Cassie with them on their adventures.

The Saint’s Car Club lay idle for several years until 1993, when Larry played an instrumental role in reactivating the club. He was president for 12 years and eventually took over the responsibility for promoting and running the Port Orchard CRUZ car show. For years, Larry attended the California Hot Rod Reunion with many of his car enthusiast friends. A very special race car adventure happened when Dee surprised Larry with a trip to The Daytona 500 in 2019.

Larry had other interests besides cars. He was a member of Port Orchard Eagles, F.O.E. 2338 for many years. Larry enjoyed scuba diving and briefly owned an underwater hull cleaning business with younger brother Bill. It should also be mentioned that Larry was a practical joker! His pranks were notorious as he would pretty much do anything to receive a reaction from family and friends.

If you are a fan of cars, especially those of a hot rod variety and you live in Kitsap County, it is likely you knew Larry. He was the go-to-guy for technical advice and for sharing his mechanical skills. Larry was a trusted fabricator and superior welder not only for his own rebuilds but for others needing help with their projects. In his later years, Larry’s activities were reduced to restoring vintage vehicles and of course he could talk your ear off about hot rods and cars in general. In 2019 his years as a dragster culminated with him being inducted into the Washington State Hot Rod Hall of Fame for his deep involvement in the car community in Kitsap County. Larry was thrilled and humbled to be selected for the honor.

Larry’s ET from leaving life’s starting line was 79 years, much faster than his loving family had hoped. He was preceded in death by his parents, John, and Irene. Larry will be forever missed by his wife Dee, siblings Lyle Sr., Betty (Bob Kieburtz), Bill (Vicki), daughters Lisa Van Boeyen, and Sheri Larson, much-loved grandchildren Dustin Pleskun, Katie Zanino (Peter), Megan Larson (Tanner Kovacevich), Dee’s children, Jamie Mendez, and Jeremy Grable, along with many cousins, nephews, nieces, and dear friends Larry considered family.

Peace be with you brother, dad, husband, grandpa, and friend!