Larry Dee Yost, age 83, passed away peacefully in his home in Prosser, Washington on January 5, 2023. Larry was born in Logan, Utah on September 16, 1939, to goodly parents John Christian Yost and Katie May (Johnson) Yost. He was the youngest of 6 children.
Larry grew up in North Logan, Utah with a fishing pole in one hand and a baseball bat in the other. He often talked about his Dad dropping him off in Logan Canyon before he went to work so he could fish all day. His Dad would pick him up 8 hours later on his way home. Those who knew him would say, “That Yost kid could catch a fish following a water truck down the Main Street of Logan.”
His Dad had a love of baseball and taught Larry to love the game as well. If Larry wasn’t fishing or hunting, another favorite pastime, you could find him in a pasture playing baseball with friends. Later in life, he enjoyed coaching his son’s T-ball and Little League teams. Larry was a Dad who rarely missed his sons' games and practices.
Larry’s Father, John, had an enlarged heart, and as his health deteriorated, Larry pitched in and helped out more around their home. He weeded their large garden, picked raspberries and strawberries, milked the cows, and fed the rabbits, chickens, and pigs. He learned to work hard at an early age. His father died when he was just 16 years old.
Larry did well in school, but after he turned 17, he chose to join the Navy. He proudly served his Country on the USS Princeton and the USS Midway from July 16,1957 to September 9, 1960. He sent all but $20.00 per month of his earnings home to help support his widowed Mother. This was part of Larry's character and only the beginning of the service he would provide others throughout his life. He often put the needs of others in front of his own and demonstrated great acts of selflessness. After an honorable discharge from the Navy, he returned home to Logan, Utah.
One year later, he met a cute carhop, LaDean Wanner at his cousin’s hamburger joint, Jerry’s Drive Inn. He often told the story of how he knew “she was the one” after their first date watching the movie “White Christmas.” He would always tease and say, "She fell for me because of my yellow convertible.” LaDean would tease back and say that it was because, “He was a good salesman.” Regardless of the reason, they fell in love, and married on June 8, 1962. By 1968, they had been blessed with 3 children. Deena Rae, Kristy Kay, and Jon Craig.
Larry worked for Pacific Fruit for 7 years, then started his own Produce Company in Cache County, Utah. This afforded him the ability to take flying lessons and get his pilot’s license. He LOVED to fly and talked about flying and getting another plane right up until his dying day.
In 1974, a business opportunity with his Brother, Grant, brought Larry and his small family to Washington State. They lived in Kennewick, Washington for 2 years, then in 1976, moved to 100 Circle Farm that was located just off the Columbia River.
Sadly, on the 18th of May, 1977, their young son, Jon Craig, died in a drowning accident at the age of 8. A few months later, on August 13, 1977, their family was sealed for time and all eternity in the Idaho Falls, Idaho Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
In 1978, Larry and LaDean were blessed with another son, Jason Clark. In 1980, they moved from the farm to Yakima, Washington, and one month later, they welcomed their 5th child, Chad Justin.
Larry continued in the Produce Business and started selling Temperature Monitoring Equipment, which was fairly new in that industry. He loved his work and took great pride in loyally serving his customers in the Pacific Northwest for over 42 years. No matter what his day looked like, or where he was at, if a customer needed recorders, he made sure they had them. It was common for him to drive from their home to the Tri-Cities, to Yakima, and back to the Tri-Cities, or even Umatilla, all in one day. He NEVER complained. He put over 686,550 miles on one of his cars, a 1995 Toyota Avalon, without having any major repairs. He proudly named it "Old Reliable." Over the years, he worked for 3 different companies in the industry, but with each change, his customers continued their loyalty with the “Fastest Delivery Man in the Northwest.” He loved his clients and was greatly humbled by their support. Later in his career, his youngest son, Chad, joined him in the business.
Larry was a lifetime member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day. He served faithfully in the many church callings he was assigned throughout the years. He was well-known and loved by the church members he served. In 2009-2011, he and his wife, LaDean, served as Missionaries in the New York, Rochester Mission.
Larry had a special talent for telling stories. Family members enjoyed gathering around to listen to them. He had many miraculous events and near-death experiences in his life he’d share with those close to him. These stories will surely be told in generations to come. He was a people person and would strike up a conversation with just about anyone. He was a great salesman, an avid gardener, and took great pride in his home and yard. His image was important to him. He spent a lot of time making sure his hair was "just so" and he rarely looked disheveled or had his shirt untucked. He loved to gently tease and often gave nicknames to those he cherished. He loved watching Sports, Old Westerns, and yes, even Hallmark Movies in his later years. He was stubborn, but had a huge, giving heart. He often picked up produce from his generous customers and shared it with family and friends or with those in need.
He was preceded in death by his beloved son, Jon Craig Yost, Father and Mother, John Christian Yost and Katie May (Johnson) Yost, Sisters Darva (Yost) Bench (Husband John Bench), and Etta (Yost) Federico (Husband Rudolf Valentino Federico), Brothers Jay C. Yost, and Grant Fred Yost (Surviving Wife Lenore (Myers) Yost).
Larry is survived by his loving wife LaDean (Wanner) Yost of Prosser, Washington, Daughters Deena Rae (Yost) Simmons (Husband Howard Simmons) of Waterloo, New York, and Kristy Kay (Yost) McAllister (Husband Scott McAllister) of Ferndale, Washington, Sons Jason Clark Yost (Wife Trisa (Bunker) Yost) of Springville, Utah, and Chad Justin Yost (Wife Toni (Holmes) Yost) of West Richland, Washington, 14 Grandchildren, 7 Great-Grandchildren (with another one on the way), and Sister Barbara (Yost) Hubbard (Husband Wayne Hubbard) of Logan, Utah.
Larry Dee Yost, Loving Husband, Cherished Father, and Adored Grandpa. How blessed we are to have known someone who makes saying goodbye so hard. We feel comforted to know that FAMILIES ARE FOREVER.
WE LOVE YOU.
A Viewing will be held on Saturday January 21, 2023, from 10:30-11:45AM, with a Funeral Service to follow at 12:00 PM. Services will be held in the Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, located at 1835 Highland Drive Prosser, WA 99350. Following the Funeral, Larry will be laid to rest at the Prosser City Cemetery, located at 1601 Paterson Road, Prosser, WA 99350.