Larry Gordon Klahn

    Larry Gordon Klahn was born May 16, 1929, in Klamath Falls, to parents Kenneth and Faye Klahn, and died at his local home on June 8, 2023. Larry had many relatives in the Klamath Basin and he knew a great many people. Except for his time in college and in the Air Force, he resided in Klamath Falls all of his life, graduating from high school in 1947. In his youth he worked for his uncles in their farming operations and worked for his father in his fuel business.

    Larry attended Oregon State College for 1 year and then enlisted in the Air Force at the beginning of the Korean Conflict. He enjoyed the military and learned leadership and management skills. On June 10, 1951 he married Elizabeth (Betty) Antionette Westlin and upon completion of his military service they returned to Klamath Falls to work with his father in the automobile business. He later became self employed and his business evolved into sales and service of recreational vehicles until his retirement in the 1980s. He and Betty enjoyed time traveling in an RV and later a winter home in Arizona. They were married for 56 years until her passing. He married Maureen Moore on May 25, 2008 and they enjoyed their families, friends, community and travel. Maureen predeceased him earlier in the day on June 8, 2023.

    Larry loved and was accomplished in fishing, hunting, and of all sorts and trap shooting. He was a member of the Klamath Gun Club for 67 years. He tied flies and reloaded shotgun shells. Betty enjoyed reading in the boat while he fished. He drifted and fished the Rogue river every Tuesday of the winter steelhead season for many years and his family grew weary of eating fish. He was an avid reader, especially the history of World War II and of southern Oregon. Larry enjoyed golf for many years and tinkering in his shop in his later years.

    He was a member and past president of the Rotary Club and was a Paul Harris Fellow. He was a member of Sacred Heart Church and a volunteer at Sky Lakes Hospital. A child of the depression, he lived by the popular saying “Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.” He was conservative and learned from the military that “Discipline is the training which makes punishment unnecessary.” He had a friendly and outgoing nature which served him well in a career as a salesman. He was a talented raconteur. He loved spending his weekends with his family, usually involving fishing, water skiing, a picnic or a long drive on Sunday afternoon.

    Larry was predeceased by his wife Betty, his wife Maureen, son William and brother Roger Klahn. He will be missed by his children Robert Klahn, Nancy Klahn Kerns, and granddaughters Elizabeth Tappert and Virginia Kerns and members of the Moore family. There will be a recitation of the rosary at O’Hair Funeral Chapel on June 19 at 6PM and a funeral mass at Sacred Heart Church on June 20 at 11 AM. Donations in his memory may be made to the Klamath Falls Rotary Club in care of PO Box 492, Klamath Falls, OR 97801 or to the Alzheimer's Association via their website.

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