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Larry Dennis Kirtley
October 5th 1952- February 2nd 2020

Larry passed away peacefully on the morning of February 2, 2020, after a two-years battle with PSP, Dementia/Parkinson’s. Larry was born in Richmond and moved to Sonoma Valley as a young child, where he attended elementary and middle school before graduating Sonoma Valley High School class of 1971. After spending time in Sonoma, Half Moon Bay and riding his bike all along the California coast, in 1989 he moved north to Humboldt County, where he worked and resided.

Larry started with the California State Parks in 1979, at Jack London State Park in Glen Ellen, then Half Moon Bay, followed by Richardson Grove and Benbow, where he was known as “The Dam Man,” before retiring from Humboldt Redwoods State Parks in 2009, after 30 years of service.

Larry was an avid Harley rider, and was most known for his love of Harley Davidsons with owning 53 Harley Davidsons in his lifetime. He was involved in MMA (Modified Motorcycle Association), and was a proud founder of the A.B.A.T.E Local 50 in Humboldt County.

Larry will be deeply missed by many friends and his large family including; his loving wife of 27 years Sonya Kirtley, brother; Dick Kirtley, and sister; Shari Skinner, children; Alison Baird, Becks (Leslie) Wentland, Jeremy Klemish, Neka (Mike) Dorsett, Amanda (J.J.) Maes, Nila (Chris) Plexico, Aintcha Kirtley and 21 grandchildren and one great-grandchild, along with many nieces and nephews. Larry was proceeded in death by his Mother; Lillian “Joni” Fessenden, Father; Ted Kirtley, step mother; Donna Kirtley, and brother Chris Kirtley.

The family would like to give a special thank you to the compassionate staff at Seaview Rehabilitation and Wellness center in Humboldt County for taking such good care of Larry for the last 6 months of his life.

The family would like to invite you to join them in celebrating the life of Larry Kirtley, on May 2, 2020, at 4 p.m. at River Lodge Conference Center in Fortuna. In lieu of flowers please make donations to CPMC (California Pacific Medical Center) Liver Transplant team San Francisco.

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