My Dad had honor.  He was reliable.  On thing I can say about him was that he did not follow materialism.  He did not lust for shiny things.  He was finding happiness in his family only, not in having a nice car, or in the owning of things or keeping up with the Jones.  He valued knowledge, and was fascinated by the internet.  He told me once that having an internet connection was like having a library in your house.  So I imagine a man busy in the library, knowledgable, informed, and with an intelligent opinion.  He shunned materialism, but was mentally rich.  He understood that life was short and valued the intellectual side of life.  Talking to him was amazing.  Dad was a smart man, and he understood many things about life that I am only beginning to understand.  Dad, I salute your intelligence and your simple values, which are in reality very complex and well developed.
 

I have been long time friends of Evan, Max and the sutherland family and would very often spend time at the sutherland home. I grew up on a farm where outside work is a normal part of my life. One of those daily chores I grew up with was splitting wood and became very good at it. So good my confidence for success was really high. One day I was hanging out with Max and Evan when Larry came up to me saying he heard that I was good at splitting wood. He said he would like to see if what he heard was really true. For those who don't know me I am a determined and a competitive person and I WILL achieve my goal. So a challenge from Larry was gladly taken. Out in his woodshed I began to swing at the wood piece. I kept on swinging with a suprised oddity that that wood still stood. I swung and swung so many times I couldn't count anymore. I thought my form may have been off, or my technique and power follow through may have been wrong. While I was troubleshooting why this piece of firewood wouldn't split I finally took my focus off the wood and looked up to Larry to see him trying to hold back deep laughter. I did not understand. I was in a limbo of confusion while Larry took many minutes of laughter and forced small words out I couldn't understand. Finally, he was able to tell me that the piece of wood was cherry tree. If you are unfamiliaer cherry tree the wood may split, but the bark around the wood is so strong it keeps it together. I never split that piece of wood and my confidence was humbled by Larry's practical Joke. I have never split cherry tree wood since.

I will always remember you Larry for many memories you have in my life. You are a Great man, leader and a fun guy to be around. Thanks for the laughter you still provide to me to this day.

Garrett Owens

I had the good fortune to spend many hours and days with Larry over the fourty years we have been friends. Remarkably consistent and principled all those years and a pleasure to be with.


He wrote the book on raising boys. He and Rena produced a houseful of great ones! Once, as the crew bus was passing a school yard full of joyus kids, Larry remarked : " Looks just like my backyard". 


All six sons have that solid Sutherland presence that would make any dad proud. He was definitely proud of them all!


He is missed and will be often remembered....   

I had the privilege of getting to know Larry over the last ten years. Larry became a second father to me and I will always cherish the time that we spent together. I knew that Larry had accepted me into his family when he gave me my very own Parker pen. Those that knew Larry may have noticed that he often times carried a Parker pen in his shirt pocket. I still have my silver Parker pen and think of Larry every time I use it.

Larry had a sharp sense of humor and was an expert in the art of story telling. He also loved his family dearly and had a nurturing side to him. He often called me over to his house to pick up fresh vegetables from his garden or would stop by with an armful of firewood. I loved the visits that I shared with Larry - out in his garden marveling at his colossal vegetables or sitting inside listening to stories about his boys. Larry was a wonderful father and an exceptional man. He will be missed.

My Dad didn't have a hobby after he retired from the airlines.  His hobby was his sons.  He followed our careers with great interest and support.  He never once asked any of his sons to follow in his career footsteps, but many of us did.  He was always there to talk, every day, to every one of us.  He gave advice, supported us, and enjoyed the close relationship with all six of us.  His den at home was a command center of sorts, where by phone and internet he stayed so close to our lives.  He was waiting for us when we came back to Seattle.  It always felt like a festive and happy time to come home to Dad...you could feel his happiness.  It was  unconditional love and friendship from him at all times.  He was so pleased and content this year because of the progress that we were all making.  He shared and relished all our progress and successes.  At every step of the way in life, Dad was there with us, and he will stay with us in our hearts.