Larry Allen Scovel, 88

Larry Allen Scovel passed away on July 7, at his home in Kalispell, at age 88. Larry – the eldest of 3 boys – was born Jan 12, 1938, to Clyde (Scoop) and Margaret (Peg) Scovel, in Kalispell. 

Preceded in death by both of his parents and his granddaughter, Sierra. Larry is survived by his children: Dawn (Mark) Weyer, Dusk (Zenna) Scovel, Deanna Jeffries, and Day (Evelyn) Scovel; his 2 brothers Lanny (aka Biggy) and Loren; his former wife Ardith; as well as his six grandchildren Colt, Jerel, Sara, Devin, David, and Aria; and four great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. 

Larry was a proud Montana native, growing up in Condon and Kalispell, playing football for and graduating from Flathead High School in 1955. Upon graduating, he immediately joined the US Air Force as an electronics technician serving at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, and Bitburg Air Force Base, Germany. 

After his honorable discharge in 1959, Larry went on to pursue higher education at MSU, Grays Harbor, U of M, and Alaska State University to achieve his dream of becoming an educator. He attained his Bachelor of Arts in Education with a fifth year in Guidance Counseling and then his Master of Education in Administration. After a successful 25-year career as a teacher, guidance counselor, coach, and principal, Larry retired from teaching while still in his 40s.

While attending school at Grays Harbor Technical College in Wash., Larry met his future wife, Ardith Karlsen. They married in June of 1961 and had four children: Dawn, Dusk, Deanna, and Day. Even though they moved around a lot in the early years, including Wash., Colo., and Alaska, Larry’s heart remained in Montana, where he eventually purchased several acres of land and designed and built his own house. Larry and Ardith eventually parted ways, but they remained lifelong friends. Larry never remarried.

Larry loved life and adventure and had many interests. He was fond of saying “Anything worth doing is worth doing well!” and he lived up to those words. In addition to teaching, he obtained his commercial pilot’s license while living in Alaska, he worked for the Forest Service in Montana, and also worked as a carpenter, plumber, electrician, mason, construction worker, and dance teacher. His hobbies were many and varied, but his love for electronics, dancing, fishing, sports, and the Montana outdoors were among his most notable. Larry lived his life on his own terms. The Frank Sinatra song, “I Did It My Way”, truly embodies who Larry was. 

A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, August 26, at 24 Scovel Lane, Kalispell, at 11:00 a.m. (very limited parking). In lieu of flowers, please honor Larry’s passion for education by making a tax-deductible donation to the University of Alaska Foundation (Scholarships), 1815 Bragaw St., Ste. 206, Anchorage, AK 99508, or visit: give.alaska.edu/campaigns/77190/donations/new?a=12813153.