Brandon Solarez
Larry Allan Staley of Oro Valley, Arizona passed away at home surrounded by family on Friday, October 29, 2021 at the age of 83.
Larry was born April 16,1938 in Worland, Wyoming to Fred (born Johan Fridrich Schtele, Jr in Franzosen, Saratov, Russia) and Katherine Staley, née Maria Katharina Klemm. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Marilyn Staley, née Schnell of Oro Valley, Arizona, as well as his five sons, Larry (Karla) Staley of Tucson, Arizona, Matthew (Destiny) Staley of Vandalia, Missouri, Brad (Jennifer) Staley of Logan, Utah, Luke Schtele of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Zachary (Wendy) Staley of Marana, Arizona, a daughter Roxanne (Deris) Wilson of Ogden, Utah, and 16 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren that he adored. Two sons preceded Larry in death, Mark Staley and Daniel Staley, both of Layton, Utah.
Larry moved from the mountains of Wyoming to Southern California at an early age where his dad worked as a welder building battleships in Long Beach during World War II. Larry finished his schooling there, participating in several high school sports and becoming an accomplished violinist, performing at the Hollywood Bowl as first chair violinist.
After school, he enlisted in the United States Army where he served overseas in intelligence as a linguist with the Army Security Agency responsible for identifying, categorizing, translating, and summarizing foreign language communications while operating radio equipment used in signals intelligence operations.
After his years in the service, he returned to California where he met and married Marilyn Schnell. Together they raised eight children, one daughter and seven sons in several areas of the Intermountain West. At home, Larry was beloved by his family for his culinary skills, whipping up meals from scratch and recreating Russian German treats from his parents like cabbage burgers and Schtele sausage. Larry tried his hand at several trades and occupations during his working life. Everything from the grocery business where he was a card carrying member of the Amalgamated Meat Cutters Union to office supply salesman and insurance salesman to frozen food sales to restaurant operations.
After retirement, Larry and Marilyn relocated to Oro Valley, Arizona from northern Utah where he continued the hobbies he enjoyed as long as he could. He extolled the virtues of healthy natural living and was famous for his homemade old world authentic sauerkraut as well as home fermentation of kombucha and sprouting of grains. Larry was a great storyteller and loved to surprise you with a clever, oftentimes colorful, joke or two.
Nothing was more important to Larry than his children and grandchildren; taking great pleasure in celebrating their success, and imparting wisdom, love, and genuine care as a trusted confidant when they needed it.
Although we are happy that Larry’s struggle with Parkinson’s is over and he has been made whole, his passing has left an indelible hole in the fabric of our family. We will miss his burger-and-fry runs to In-N-Out, maple donut and coffee mornings, and all of the beautiful conversations, laughter, and love that came from them. Until we meet again dad/grandpa/sweetheart, fly free and know we love you with all our hearts.
A special thank you to the professionals at Aria Hospice and TMC Hospice, and at-home caregivers Perla, Christina, and Maria for the wonderful care they provided Larry during his last year of fighting Parkinson’s.
A memorial gathering to celebrate his life is planned for Tuesday, November 2, 2021 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at The Highlands Community Center, 10700 N Highlands Drive, Oro Valley, AZ 85737.
Larry was born April 16,1938 in Worland, Wyoming to Fred (born Johan Fridrich Schtele, Jr in Franzosen, Saratov, Russia) and Katherine Staley, née Maria Katharina Klemm. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Marilyn Staley, née Schnell of Oro Valley, Arizona, as well as his five sons, Larry (Karla) Staley of Tucson, Arizona, Matthew (Destiny) Staley of Vandalia, Missouri, Brad (Jennifer) Staley of Logan, Utah, Luke Schtele of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Zachary (Wendy) Staley of Marana, Arizona, a daughter Roxanne (Deris) Wilson of Ogden, Utah, and 16 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren that he adored. Two sons preceded Larry in death, Mark Staley and Daniel Staley, both of Layton, Utah.
Larry moved from the mountains of Wyoming to Southern California at an early age where his dad worked as a welder building battleships in Long Beach during World War II. Larry finished his schooling there, participating in several high school sports and becoming an accomplished violinist, performing at the Hollywood Bowl as first chair violinist.
After school, he enlisted in the United States Army where he served overseas in intelligence as a linguist with the Army Security Agency responsible for identifying, categorizing, translating, and summarizing foreign language communications while operating radio equipment used in signals intelligence operations.
After his years in the service, he returned to California where he met and married Marilyn Schnell. Together they raised eight children, one daughter and seven sons in several areas of the Intermountain West. At home, Larry was beloved by his family for his culinary skills, whipping up meals from scratch and recreating Russian German treats from his parents like cabbage burgers and Schtele sausage. Larry tried his hand at several trades and occupations during his working life. Everything from the grocery business where he was a card carrying member of the Amalgamated Meat Cutters Union to office supply salesman and insurance salesman to frozen food sales to restaurant operations.
After retirement, Larry and Marilyn relocated to Oro Valley, Arizona from northern Utah where he continued the hobbies he enjoyed as long as he could. He extolled the virtues of healthy natural living and was famous for his homemade old world authentic sauerkraut as well as home fermentation of kombucha and sprouting of grains. Larry was a great storyteller and loved to surprise you with a clever, oftentimes colorful, joke or two.
Nothing was more important to Larry than his children and grandchildren; taking great pleasure in celebrating their success, and imparting wisdom, love, and genuine care as a trusted confidant when they needed it.
Although we are happy that Larry’s struggle with Parkinson’s is over and he has been made whole, his passing has left an indelible hole in the fabric of our family. We will miss his burger-and-fry runs to In-N-Out, maple donut and coffee mornings, and all of the beautiful conversations, laughter, and love that came from them. Until we meet again dad/grandpa/sweetheart, fly free and know we love you with all our hearts.
A special thank you to the professionals at Aria Hospice and TMC Hospice, and at-home caregivers Perla, Christina, and Maria for the wonderful care they provided Larry during his last year of fighting Parkinson’s.
A memorial gathering to celebrate his life is planned for Tuesday, November 2, 2021 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at The Highlands Community Center, 10700 N Highlands Drive, Oro Valley, AZ 85737.
