It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Larry Dean Harrold after a courageous battle with cancer. Larry was born on October 11, 1950, on a farm in Topeka, Kansas, the 6th child and only son. It was there that Larry learned his incredible work ethic.
After his schooling, he and a friend drove to California where he immediately found employment as a night auditor at the brand new Ventura Holiday Inn. He then achieved one of his dreams finding an apartment right on the beach in the Pierpont area.
While visiting a friend in Ojai, he picked up the Ojai Valley News and saw an ad for night auditor at The Oaks Hotel. He went right over and was hired on the spot and started the next day!
Larry eventually became manager and held jazz and rock concerts in the lounge, which drew crowds of locals to the hotel.
When the hotel sold, Larry went into construction and eventually started his own backhoe business which continued for the next 40 years. Larry loved the Ojai Valley and developed numerous and lifelong friendships. He loved his family and was a wonderful provider.
He leaves behind his former wife of 27 years, Linnea; their children: Erika, Ben, and Hannah; grandchildren: Kaley, Brandon, Madison, Molly, Ben Jr., Andrew, and Wolter; great-grandchildren: Amara, Zane, Myla, and Capri; sisters: Virginia, Jeanine, Patty (husband Gary), and Lana.
The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thank you to Carol Shaw Sutton for her love and wonderful care for Larry the last years of his life.
The date for a Celebration of Life will be announced at a later time.
