Larry Skeen

Larry Skeen

6/3/1939 — 7/21/2016

Larry Allen Skeen, 77, of Lewiston, passed peacefully in his sleep Thursday, July 21, 2016.

He was born June 3, 1939, in Pullman, to Ernest Charles Skeen and Melba Mattie Day, the oldest of their three sons. His favorite cousin Lenore couldn't wait to get home from her last day of high school to see "little Larry."

Larry grew up on the Palouse, graduating from Pullman High School in 1957. Shortly after graduation, he attended barber college and became a partner in a barber shop. After selling the shop in 1959, Larry enlisted in the U.S. Army reserves and was stationed at Fort Ord, Calif. He was honorably discharged after six years with the rank of staff sergeant. While in the reserves, he was a volunteer sleeper-resident with the Pullman Fire Department, driving fire engines and ambulance, working for the Pullman Police Department and a farm chemical company. On Feb. 26, 1964, he was hired by the Lewiston Fire Department. Over the next 25 years, he rose through the ranks of the department, eventually being promoted to assistant fire chief/fire marshal in 1975. He stayed in this position until retirement in 1989. Larry attended the National Fire Academy in Emmitsville, Md., where he was part of the first group to be trained after it was reopened in 1979.

Larry's marriage in 1961 produced his three children. He met his present wife, Stormy, in 1985, and they were married July 3, 1986. This marriage added two stepsons to the family. He joined the Coast Guard reserves in 1986 and served for two years. In 1988, they opened Skeen Detailing Inc., which they owned for eight years to keep Larry active in retirement. After selling the business, he failed at retirement and went to work at ATK as sergeant of security. He was finally able to get retirement right in 2005.

Larry's favorite times were camping, four-wheeling and relaxing at a fire pit with family and friends every chance he got. He always let Stormy light the fire because, "his job was to put them out." He was the first one to own a four-wheeler in the family, and it soon became contagious. So many fond memories of all these outdoor trips were shared with everyone involved.

Larry is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Stormy; along with three children of a previous marriage, Jeff (Julie) Skeen, Lori (Bob) Hunter, and Steve (Jeannie) Skeen, all of Lewiston; stepsons Wade Stark of Clarkston and Calvin (Lisa) Stark of Beaverton, Ore.; grandchildren Jeremy (Danielle) Skeen, Seth Skeen, Sidney Hunter and Liliauna Skeen, all of Lewiston; and great-granddaughter Mikaela; brothers Lowell Skeen of Post Falls, Idaho, and Marvin (Cathy) Skeen of Bellevue, Wash.; and many other nieces, nephews and relatives. Larry was preceded in death by his parents.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at Malcom's Brower-Wann Funeral Home. His wishes are donations be made to their local fire and police departments rather than to send flowers.

Service Information

Date & Time
Friday, August 5, 2:00 PM
Location
Malcom's Brower-Wann Funeral Home
1711 18th Street
Lewiston, ID 83501

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1711 18th Street
Lewiston, Idaho 83501
(208) 743-4578
malcoms@malcomsfuneralhome.com