Larry R Mock

Larry Raymond Mock, the man, the myth, the legend passed away on October 21, 2021. He died the way he lived, the life of the party. Larry was born October 19th, 1949 to Donald Raymond Mock and Evelyn Adell Mock. He was his mother’s favorite. (At least that is what he always said.) They were cut from the same cloth. Humor was Larry’s superpower. He loved making people laugh and was able to lighten the hardest and darkest of times with his quick wit and perfect one liners. Every time he would visit his mother’s grave he would bring a “Get Well Soon” balloon and while this may be offensive to some, he knew his mother was belly-laughing in Heaven. He was the best big brother to his sister Sandy and brother Gordy. He never missed a morning phone call to check in with his sister and he loved teasing her to no end. 

Larry loved music and was a self-taught drummer. In his younger days, he and his band had high hopes of being discovered and could be found playing gigs throughout Seattle. He loved to tell stories about rubbing elbows with famous musicians and was quite the ladies man. It was in the early 70’s that he put down his drumsticks and became the manager of a local gym. Larry was a natural salesman. He had a ton of charisma and charm. It was at this gym where he met and soon fell in love with his former wife and cherished friend, Jil Thompson.

According to Larry, they brought three of the finest women into the world. Jennifer Lynn (Downs), Heidi Jil (White) and Abby Jane (Mock) were his greatest accomplishments. He loved being their father. He dedicated his life to protecting them from everything he possibly could. There was even a time he beat up a tricycle because one of his girls had fallen off and gotten hurt. Larry’s girls were definitely “Daddy’s girls.” They each had a very special bond. There wasn’t a phone call, get together or one-on-one conversation where they weren’t laughing at inside jokes or brand new material. As genetics go, Larry passed on his razor sharp wit, his big heart and his brown eyes. Unfortunately, he also passed on his fine thin hair. 

Larry was the guy that everyone loved. He would talk to anyone and everyone. “How you doin’ good-lookin'?,” was his typical greeting for the grocery store clerk, the nurse at his doctor’s office or the total stranger he just met. He couldn’t pass up a little kid without saying, “Hey there, little buddy!” and try to get them to smile or laugh with a silly gesture or a funny voice.  When we would go out to eat and the waitress would ask,“Table for four?” He would always reply, “Unless you're hungry,” and by the end of our dinner he knew the waitress’ life story and they would be laughing and joking like life-long friends. Whoever crossed Larry’s path left better for it. 

Larry was a loyal, dedicated and hard-working employee. Whether he was digging the best water well in Idaho, inventing the Heinz squeezable ketchup bottle, creating beautiful landscapes or installing water systems in a foreign country he was always the first guy to show up and the last guy to leave. When looking back on his professions he would often joke, “I worked really hard, making other people rich!” 

In his spare time Larry liked watching westerns, classic sitcoms, stand-up comedy and movies. He loved sharing his favorite shows with his kids and grandkids whenever they would come over. Together they would enjoy homemade buttered popcorn and eat their weight in ice cream! He was an exceptional cook and was known for his “magic fridge” that always was full with everyone’s favorites. If you liked it, he made sure to get it. 

The highlight of Larry’s life came in the form of 11 perfect grandchildren. (At least they were perfect in his eyes.) His favorite title was that of Grandpa. He had a magic chest that would put cranky babies to sleep. A button on his wrist that would turn his hand into “the claw” and he never missed a birthday or holiday card. He loved bragging about his 5 grandsons and 6 granddaughters. Thanks to his iPhone and family messaging he was always the first to send 5:00am texts with his personalized Grandpa Larry Bitmoji for all major holidays...and even most of the minor ones.    

James Lipton once asked Robin Williams, "If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates." Robin responded, "If Heaven exists, to know that there's laughter. That'd be a great thing."

One thing we know for certain, with Larry in Heaven there will be laughter. I am sure he greeted his mother with his signature “How ya doin’ good lookin,” and together they are entertaining all our loved ones on the other side.

Until we meet again, Daddy. Get well soon. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Larry R Mock, please visit our floral store.