Larry Joe Sillaway was born November 4, 1959 in Hoopa. He was found December 5, 2022 in Eureka. Larry went by the nicknames of Larry Jo or Larry Ho. He was a proud member of the Yurok Tribe. His birth parents were Ida Mae Lewis and Everett Charles Myers. As a baby, Larry was born to be Dolores Sullivan’s son, as per the agreement between Ida and Dolores.

Larry was raised by Dolores and had a good life with her. They lived together along with his sister Linda in California, Washington and Florida. As a young boy he took part in swimming and karate. Some would say he always needed to be moving. He had an aptitude for drawing in which he would later take with him into his later life to create spectacular art pieces.

In his adult life, he would take many jobs involving art for commercial businesses, logo contests or specific requests. His works ranged from painting murals on the back of RV’s, drawings for books, carving and painting elkhorn to make hair sticks, to painting the Mazzoti’s Logo at the Old Town location. He would consistently sell his artwork to NCIDC, which family members had dubbed as his second home. In 1982-1983, Larry had contributed illustrations to a book called “Let’s Go Home” as well as an article named “Downriver Indians’ Legends.” In 2009, Larry collaborated with Marc Nicely by designing and painting the tribal design around the mural We Are Still Here located at the San Francisco State University. Larry also partook and won many logo contests for the Yurok Tribe such as the Salmon Festival Logo Contests, YCSS Logo Contest and YLAC Logo Contest.

In 1987, Larry became a father to Lil Larry Sillaway and loved his son very much. In 2014, a tragic accident took his son’s life and Larry never really got over his son’s death. He would honor his son in his artwork or the loving and caring way he spoke of his son to others. He was proud of his son and all who knew him hope he and his son are now with each other in the afterlife.

Larry was an avid sports fan following, most of the professional sports. He will be missed by his sister, as they would always be discussing NBA games or players year after year or watching a game together both yelling at the TV.

Larry had a love for his family and friends which could be seen in his willingness to help someone in need or showing his appreciation by gifting something as simple as buying someone food, a cup of coffee or gift card. While Larry had his dark days he always tried to find his way to recovery. Regardless, if he had made someone angry or upset with him he still seemed to love them and tried to be a better version of himself. He will be missed by those who loved him and cared for him and had always hoped to see a better version of himself each and everyday.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents Melissa & Charles Myers, Rose & Andrew Lewis; his birth parents, Charles Everett Myers & Ida Mae Lewis; his adoptive mom, Dolores Sullivan; his siblings Sharon Myers, Sam Young, Eugene Young, Frankie Erickson, Joseph Henderson, Everett Dewey Myers, Andrea Lavato and Sylvester “Louie” Myers; his aunts and uncles Georgiana & John Troll, Queen James, Arvada Lewis, Andrew Lewis, Jr., Rose Wilder and Marilyn Latham; and his son Larry James Gray Sillaway.

He is survived by his brothers & sisters, Everetta Myers, Gilbert Myers, Richard “Dickie” Myers, Linda Henson and Barbara Rakestraw; and his many nieces and nephews.

Honorary pallbearers are Gilbert Myers, Wesley Latham, Richard “Dickie” Myers, Anthony Lavato, David “Hootie” Lewis, Jamie Lewis, Andrew Myers, Sylvester Myers, Laurance Myers, Nin Myers, Gilly Myers, Troy Myers, Frankie Jo Myers, Richard Myers, Charlie Myers, Dustin Latham, Dewey and Louie Myers.

The graveside service and burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, December 19, 2022 at Greenwood Cemetery in Arcata.

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