Larry Frederick Moranda
September 13, 1943, to April 27, 2018

Larry passed away peacefully after a two-year battle with Lewy Body Dementia. He was born in Eureka to Silvie and Ruth Moranda, and was raised on the family dairy farm in Ferndale with his older brother Jim, and his younger brother Richard. Larry graduated from Ferndale High School in 1961 and then went to work for Pacific Bell in San Francisco. After a short stint in the city, he was transferred to Eureka, where he worked as a lineman and then as a supplyman until he retired in 1994. He never did like to sit still much, so after he retired from Pacific Bell, he went to work for Steve Danielson at Danielson Construction, mostly driving dump trucks, which he loved. After he retired from Danielson Construction, he still went to work now and then when Steve needed another truck driver. Larry always said he never really retired, he just changed careers.

Since childhood, one of his favorite places to be was sitting in a tractor seat. He loved running a tractor and was incredibly skilled at it. Larry had his own John Deere tractor as well as a dump truck and did a lot of custom jobs – mowing, raking, rototilling, and hauling lots of manure for vegetable and flower gardens all over Humboldt County for friends. He loved gardening and could grow anything; there were even a few years when he grew pineapple, cotton, and tobacco. Each year his gardens were a sight to behold, and he loved giving away produce to visitors. He got as much pleasure in sharing the bounty from his gardens with friends and family as he did in growing it. His Walla-Walla onions were amazing!

Larry was a lifelong farmer and always raised cattle; over the years, he also raised goats, sheep, pigs and turkeys. He was very proud of his small herd of Texas Longhorns. One of his more recent projects was chickens, and at the peak, he had about 100 or so. He liked to experiment with different breeds and seeing the different color eggs they produced. Later in life he also enjoyed beekeeping. He served as an FFA advisor for Eureka High School students for several decades. He was a member of the Native Sons of the Golden West Parlor in Ferndale for more than fifty years. He looked forward to deer hunting in the fall at Lard Valley or Little Rainbow. There were also lots of good times spent fishing and crabbing with family and friends.

Larry was a kind, generous soul, who would help anyone in need. He had incredible knowledge and a remarkable memory on local history. We will miss his stories. His passing has left a big hole in our hearts. Larry is survived by his wife of 53 years, Judy, his daughters, Susan, Frances and her husband Bruce, and Julie and her husband Rob, and his brothers Jim and his wife Pat, and Richard. He is also survived by his beloved grandchildren Justin and his girlfriend Sam, Emily, and Freddy, his niece Jennifer, as well as several cousins. His precious granddaughter, Sylvia Jane East, preceded him in death by just six days.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Cleo’s Home for the exemplary care they gave him. If he could not be at home, it was the next best place. And a thank you to his Hospice nurses who always went above and beyond for him.

A memorial service will be announced at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Humboldt or to a charity of your choice.

Rest in peace, Dad. And we promise no fake flowers.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Larry Moranda’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.