Lawrence J. Balzer

Lawrence J. Balzer died March 19 at home in Lakebay. He was 88 years old.

Born in Shepherd, Mont., in 1932, he moved with his family to Washington at age 9. He spent his youth in Yakima where he worked alongside his family on a farm growing everything from apples to hops.

Larry joined the Navy in 1951 and served during the Korean War. Following military service, he went to school to learn heating, ventilation and cooling systems. He hired on with Boeing where he worked until his retirement in 1997 and moved from Tacoma to the Key Peninsula. He was active at the KP Community Services where he volunteered for 12 years and enjoyed every moment.

He was a great person to his family. He dearly loved his grandchildren; they were his life.

Larry leaves behind his partner of 40 years, Irene Neumiller; four children; 13 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.