Larry Benjamin Fleek
October 9, 1958 - February 14, 2023

After an emergency trip to the hospital where it was discovered that he had an inoperable mass on his brain and was in rapidly declining health, Larry went on to Heaven to be reunited with many loved ones.

A lifelong native of Eureka, Larry grew up enjoying trips to the beach and to local rivers and lakes with family and friends. A highlight in the summertime was camping at Willow Creek, or Trinity and Ruth Lakes where skiing, hiking, and family and friend time around the campfire were daily musts. On hikes, he will be remembered for never being able to pass a rotted log without giving it a good kick for firewood gathering, then running to get away from angry bees! Yahtzee, Monopoly and card games at the camp table often went on late into the night after a round or two (or three!) of s’mores.

Except for several years during his teens living in Georgia with his family, Larry attended all local schools and graduated from Eureka High School in 1977. Many of his friends date back to his elementary days at Cutten School, then Winship Junior High and Eureka High School. Larry worked alongside his dad, Jim Fleek, at Pacific Saw & Knife in Eureka for many years. He was also employed at Mad River Hospital in Arcata and was a residential house painter who took pride in the details, no matter the time it took to finish a job.

Larry will be remembered for the days of joy he had with his family, especially his nieces and nephews who always looked forward to spending time with “Uncle Bubba/Bubs.” Adventures near and far were always filled with fun and laughter! Getting to attend the sporting events of his stepchildren Krista, Kara and Colt when they were young were also happy times for Larry. As a lifelong San Francisco Giants fan, he rarely missed listening to a game on the radio or seeing it live on TV, especially when his mom was watching along with him and loudly rooting on “their Giants”!

Preceded in death by his loving parents Jim and Darlene Fleek and sister Nancy, Larry is survived by siblings Randy, Cindy, and Kathy; nieces and nephews Jennifer, Kim, Marissa, Kelsey, Holly, Sean, Cody, and Karrie; as well as great-nieces and great-nephews Aiden, Giselle, Connor, Dillon, Devin, Deon, Evangeline, Savannah, Aubree, and Annabelle; and great-great niece, Shawnie. He was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by all.

No services are planned at this time. Please think of Larry whenever you’re watching a sunset at the beach, enjoying a warm day at a lake, or walking in the quiet of a redwood forest. And remember to hug the ones you love as often as you can for life may be shorter than you think.

###