The Growing Hennans: Larry Albert Ruth

My paternal Grandfather passed away last Saturday. He will be dearly missed. He was in his home in Medford when the heart attack began but died shortly after in the hospital.

My grandmother is a firecracker though. I think she will be okay. She is actually glad that he went first because she believes that women survive much better than men after their spouses pass!

(Thanks to my Uncle Bill for sending along the memorial text and some pix.)

Larry Albert Ruth. September 17, 1923 - June 7, 2008

Larry was born in Chico, California, on September 17, 1923. The youngest of three children, Larry was a year old when the family settled in McCloud, where his father worked for Standard Oil. During his high school years, Larry did many odd jobs, including work at Hearst Ranch where he met a handful of celebrities including Marion Davies, Shirley Temple, and Charles Lindberg.

When Larry was 18, a young woman frequently visited the family across the street. As the story goes, young Fern was often seen outside hanging laundry, where she could discretely watch Larry over the clothesline. During one of the visits, Fern whistled to attract a girlfriend’s attention, and Larry whistled back. They soon became friends.

Larry was drafted into the Army Air Corps during WWII, and during a furlough, began courting Fern; they were later married in Santa Ana in January of 1945. He was stationed in England and served as a turret gunner aboard a B-17, flying 36 night missions over Germany. He received several medals including the Distinguished Flying Cross.
After discharge from the service, he returned to McCloud where they lived for a few months. In 1946, Fern, Larry, and their infant daughter Crystal moved to Ashland. In 1951, Jerry was born; Dale followed in 1954.

After moving to Ashland, Larry was hired as a bookkeeper at Mistletoe Mill, which later became McGrew Brothers. He had many interests and hobbies—owning an airplane, racing hardtops and motorcycles, hunting, and fishing.

He enjoyed building all kinds of things, from go-carts to houses to apartments—and even built the first houseboat used on Shasta Lake. He was a Deacon in the Ashland First Baptist Church for many years, and headed the building program for the new church.

During their children’s formative years, Larry and Fern provided their kids with an immense variety of experiences – riding motorcycles, house boating, scuba diving, water skiing, camping, and hunting, along with various church and sporting activities.

After his retirement, Fern and Larry bought a motor home and enjoyed several winters in Arizona. They later moved to Corning, California and resided there until they returned to Southern Oregon in 2003. He and Fern enjoyed collecting oil and vinegar cruets for many years. Up until the day he passed from this temporal life, Larry continued to enjoy his many projects, even building shelves on his last day.

Larry was best known for his unending thoughtfulness for the comfort and well-being of others. Many of the little kindnesses he showed to others were known only to them – small things such as bringing in a neighbors’ garbage cart on trash day, or taking an elderly friend to church. His love for God guided his actions throughout his life, and made him a role model for his family and friends. He was loved by all who knew him.I missed most of the service because the man just wanted to play and scream and be outside. :o(