On the morning of Saturday, Dec. 22, 2007, Larry went to meet the Lord, passing away peacefully in his home surrounded by his family. He will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his wife, Sharon; sons: Matthew, Trevor and Jason and their wives; daughter, Leslie; nine grandchildren; three sisters: Elva Helm, Karen Cockle and Marilyn (Becky) Cross and two brothers: Alfred Rise and Ralph Rise.
Larry was born in the small farming community of Molson. He went to college in Ellensburg, Wash. and in Nelson, B.C. He was a dedicated elementary school teacher in Malakwa, central British Columbia and in Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories and was also an accomplished salesman, selling everything from encyclopedias to yachts. Larry met and married his first wife, Karen Beaton, in Ellensburg. They later moved to Seattle and had one daughter, Leslie. Larry married his second wife in Alaska, Donna Stevenson, who had one son David. Together they had three more sons, Matthew, Trevor and Jason. While teaching in Tuktoyaktuk, Larry met and married his third wife, Sharon Welsh. They moved together to Nanaimo, B.C. where they happily spent the next 20 years. Larry was an active member of First Baptist Church in Nanaimo where he thoroughly enjoyed his involvement with the small groups and with the recent renovation project. Larry also loved music, playing bridge, going boating and camping and enjoying good meals with his family and friends. Larry lived every moment to the fullest with love, laughter and joy.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Doris Rise and son David.
A memorial service was held in Nanaimo, B.C. on Dec. 27, 2007. The internment ceremony and a second memorial will be July19, 2008 in Molson.