Lawrence "Larry" Lindsay

Lawrence "Larry" Lindsay was born during a snowstorm February 1st, 1937. His parents, Rosella and Alex Lindsay almost didn't make it to St. Anthony's Hospital in Pendleton from their home near Lexington due to weather and car trouble. Larry was their miracle child, the only son they thought might never be, their pride and joy. His little boy footprints are stamped in concrete at the end of the front walk outside the "home ranch" house where he grew up and where he passed away September 8th, 2024, surrounded by his family.

Larry attended grade school in Lexington before transferring to St. Joseph's Academy in Pendleton. After high school (Class of 1955), he attended the University of Portland where he studied finance, participated in Air Force ROTC, and met his future wife, Corrine (Remily). He graduated as valedictorian of his UP class in 1959, then attended Georgetown Law School in Washington, DC.

When his father died suddenly in June 1960, Larry's future plans changed. After serving his country in the Air Force, he returned home to the ranch–all the while courting Corrine who had graduated valedictorian of her UP class (1961) and was then studying chemistry on a Fulbright Scholarship in Germany. Larry put his exceptional writing abilities to good use and convinced her to marry him and become a rancher's wife. They celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary on September 7th, 2024.

Larry lived a full life with both joys and sorrows. Losing his dad at a young age taught him to lean into the promises of Christ. "Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take up my yoke and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart: and you will find rest for your souls, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30).

He loved the Lord, especially in the Eucharist. For a time, he drove his family to monthly all-night adoration devotions at Holy Rosary Parish in Portland, instilling in his children the wondrous mystery of the presence of Christ, so that home on the ranch, in the dust and sage, they knew Christ was present there, too. He prayed the Scriptures, rosary, and often daily Mass. He lived his faith through acts of generosity, both small and large, such as when he and Corrine sponsored several Vietnamese families–40 persons in all– escaping the aftermath of war.

He loved to read, especially about history and his faith. He preserved several sections of the Old Oregon Trail on the family ranch and wrote a history of the Catholic Church in eastern Oregon. He loved music, played the violin and accordion, and encouraged his children with music lessons and access to a symphony of instruments. He was a pioneer in irrigation and served for over fifty years as an elected commissioner of the Port of Morrow, bringing economic development to the region. He relied on God's grace to see him through the rough financial times that so many family farms faced in the 1980s. Grace sustained him through the deaths of three of his children (John, Claire, and Barney), and it was grace that fortified him for the difficult journey through dementia.

While grace is present in sorrow, it is more readily recognized in joy. Larry could laugh so hard he shook all over. He clipped cartoons from the newspaper and shared them with his family. He delighted in a good joke and often had one ready for his many speaking engagements on various community boards. He attended his kids' (and then his grandkids') ball games, brought snacks and treats to the harvest field, and was a master fly swatter.

Larry was a good man, devoted to God and family, country and community. May he rest in peace. Larry is survived by his wife Corrine, children Ann (John) Murray, Cathy (Lawrence) Pedro, Alex (Terreca) Lindsay, Theresa (Arne Henning) Pihl, (Kimberly Lindsay), Dan (Ashley) Lindsay, Joe (Leanne) Lindsay, thirty-one grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren.

A funeral Mass was held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, September 18th, 2024, pm at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Heppner, Oregon. A rosary was held Tuesday evening, September 17, at 7 p.m. Sweeney Mortuary is in care of arrangements. You may sign the online condolence book at www.sweeneymortuary.com.