Larry Loyd Focht

Larry Loyd Focht passed away February 20, 2016 at his home in Wenatchee. He was 75. Larry was born on a cotton farm near Pawnee, Oklahoma in 1940 to Loyd and Ida Focht. Searching for a better life, the family migrated to Nyssa, Oregon and found employment with the Owyhee Irrigation project. The family returned to Oklahoma shortly after WWII broke out. In 1950 they migrated again, this time to Quincy, Washington, as the Columbia Basin Reclamation Project had opened up irrigation and farmland was readily available. The youngest in his family, Larry stayed behind in Oklahoma and lived with his grandmother for a time. At the age of 10, he had a great adventure, traveling solo on a days-long train trip to be reunited with his family. Larry played football and basketball at Quincy High School and was also student body president. He graduated in 1958 and moved to Wenatchee to attend Wenatchee Valley College where he also played football. In 1962 Larry married Nancy Russell, also of Quincy (divorced in 1989). While the couple lived in Seattle, Larry worked at Boeing and later Heath Techna. Larry attended night school at the University of Washington earning a BA in Business Administration. In 1969 the couple and their two children moved to Wenatchee, where Larry began his career as a CPA and later became partner at Homchick, Koch & Associates. During his years in Wenatchee, Larry contributed to several sports, educational and service organizations. He coached little league and junior high football and in his later years was touched when approached by his former players, who remembered “Coach Focht”. Larry also contributed his time as a board member and officer for the Wenatchee Valley College (WVC) and as an alumni board member for the University of Washington (UW). He created an endowment at the WVC and UW to fund merit scholarships for incoming students. Larry was also active in Rotary and the Elks. For years Larry was a member of the Wenatchee Golf and Country Club and also served as President of their board of directors. In 1994 Larry retired from his CPA practice due to health concerns. In retirement Larry took up ballroom dancing, traveled extensively, played golf and collected books and Western art. He took a great interest in his children’s and grandchildren’s education and sports careers, enjoying their games, concerts and accomplishments. Larry is survived by his son, Brian (Wendy) Focht of Wenatchee, daughter Lisa (Tony) Ard of Portland; his grandchildren Kristen Focht of Wenatchee, Brian Focht Jr. of Houston, Kelsey Focht of Spokane, Holden and Molly Ard of Portland; his sister Donna Dascenzo of Wenatchee. Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 PM Saturday, March 26th, 2016 at First United Methodist Church, 941 Washington Street – Wenatchee, WA, Rev. John Coleman Campbell officiating. Please express your thoughts and memories on the online guest book at jonesjonesbett.com. Arrangements are by Jones & Jones – Betts Funeral Special thanks to the staff at Healthy Options including the following caregivers: Mallory, Appriel, Jaime, Jane, Shanowa, Helen, Jovanna, Danuel, Laura, Tierney.

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Larry Loyd Focht

April 29, 1940 - February 20, 2016