Lawrence (Larry) Edward Scheurer

April 3, 1947 - Oct. 13, 2026

Larry Scheurer April 3, 1947 – October 13, 2026 Larry Scheurer, 79, of Puyallup, Washington, passed away peacefully at home on October 13, 2026. He was born on April 3, 1947, in Stockton, California, to Jack Lewis Scheurer and Thelma Marie (Jaton) Scheurer. Larry spent his early years in the San Francisco Bay Area. When he was in sixth grade, his family moved to Bellevue, Washington, settling in the Factoria area. He spent many summers at the family cabin at Big Meadows in the Sierra Nevada mountains, enjoying time with his cousins, Steve and Dave Donahue, and his grandparents. During his younger years, he also worked with his uncle and at Boeing. Running became a defining part of Larry’s life. Larry was a member of the first graduating class of Newport High School in Bellevue, where his track team won the state championship his senior year, with Larry anchoring the winning 880-yard relay. His Newport High School records of 10.74 seconds in the 100 meters and 21.28 seconds in the 200 meters still stand today. He began college at the University of Oregon before soon transferring to Clark College, where he continued competing in track and field. His exceptional talent earned him a full-ride track scholarship when he was recruited to attend Washington State University in the fall of 1967. He had a very successful career of running for WSU and his college years were some of his favorite years. At the 1969 NCAA Championships, he finished sixth in both the 220-yard dash and the 440-yard relay, and he placed fourth in the 220-yard dash at the 1969 AAU National Championships. He set (and still holds) world records in the indoor 300 meters and outdoor 175 yards, toured Europe with the 1969 AAU USA Track & Field team, and was ranked sixth in the nation in the 200 meters in 1969. In recognition of his remarkable athletic achievements, Larry was inducted into the NWAC Hall of Fame in 2001. Larry’s passion for track and field continued long after his competitive career ended. He coached at Puyallup, Franklin Pierce, and Graham-Kapowsin high schools, as well as Pacific Lutheran University and the University of Puget Sound. He also served as a track and field clerk and official for the Pacific Northwest Track and Field Association. A sprinter at heart and throughout his life, Larry maintained his weekday track workouts well into his seventies, finding both physical and mental benefits in running. He continued sprinting until age 76 and rode a recumbent bike in the exercise room of his residence until age 78. At Washington State University, Larry completed a five-year degree in architecture, an impressive accomplishment given the challenges he faced with dyslexia, which was discovered at a young age. While written exams were difficult for him, his ability to visualize designs three-dimensionally was extraordinary. Although he was unable to pass the written history portion of the architectural licensing examination, that did not prevent him from pursuing his passion for designing beautiful buildings and homes. Larry began his architectural career with firms in Bellevue and Seattle, primarily designing medical office buildings. After marrying Vernene, he established his own firm, Orca Development, and later founded Design Systems Development. For nearly 40 years, he worked independently, continuing to serve the medical community while designing custom homes throughout Puyallup, Tacoma, and Olympia. Among his many projects was the family home he and Vernene shared for 39 years. His work also included construction and development projects. Larry and Vernene’s love story began on June 16, 1978, with an unexpected meeting aboard an airplane. Neither was on the flight they had originally planned to take, but that chance encounter brought them together. They married on July 7, 1979, in Blaine, Washington, and shared 47 years of marriage. The couple first lived in Federal Way before purchasing property three years later near the WSU Puyallup Research and Extension Center, where Vernene worked. There they built a home overlooking Mount Rainier and raised their two children. Over the years, they also welcomed approximately 25 exchange students and visiting scientists from numerous countries into their home and opened their lower level apartment to several families in need. Larry worked from home and, after discovering he had numerous food allergies, became the family’s cook. Cooking became an important part of his life, and his love of preparing meals was something he passed on to his children. Beyond his professional and athletic accomplishments, Larry had a deep appreciation for the outdoors, particularly fly fishing. Some of his most treasured memories were the many trips he spent fly fishing with his father along the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River. He loved sharing stories of their time together, and those experiences remained especially meaningful to him throughout his life. His love of fly fishing was about more than the sport itself; it was also about the time spent with his dad and the memories they created together. Larry cherished being a grandfather and took great pride in his four grandchildren, who lovingly called him “Opa.” He was a loving and supportive father and Opa whose encouragement, stories, and laughter will be deeply missed. Even throughout his final years with Alzheimer’s, Larry maintained his cheerful spirit, and his frequent laughter brought joy to his family and the caregivers who loved and cared for him. Despite the challenges of the disease, he never forgot the people he loved, something his family will forever be grateful for. In keeping with his love of nature and the outdoors, Larry’s remains will be composted through Earth Funeral. Some of his soil will be planted at his family’s cemetery in Angels Camp, California, on what would have been his 80th birthday, while another portion will be returned to the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River, a place that held such special memories of fly fishing with his father. Some of his soil will also be used to plant a tree in his memory at the WSU Puyallup Research and Extension Center, creating a living tribute in a place that was such an important part of his family’s life. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 28, 2026, from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m, with a short ceremony to begin at 2:30, at the D. F. Allmendinger Center at the WSU Puyallup Research and Extension Center, 2606 W. Pioneer Way, Puyallup, WA 98371. There will be lots of time to share stories and food and laughter, in his honor. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the WSU Track and Field program or the Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture at Washington State University. Larry is survived by his loving wife, Vernene; his children, Larissa Rae Warren (Derek) and Jarid Lewis Scheurer; his grandchildren, Ella Rae Densmore, Jameson Cohen Warren, Madison Leah Warren, and Raegan Cynthia Warren; his sisters, Denise Marie Scheurer and Cheryl Ann Scheurer; his niece, Jacquelyn Ann Scheurer; his cousins, Dave (Cherie) Donahue; Steve Donahue’s wife Sharon, and Larana Robinson and her adult daughters, Amy and Sarah; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Stephanie and Bill Pessemier, Kevan and Betsy Hagen, and Kary and Maria Hagen; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack Lewis Scheurer and Thelma Marie (Jaton) Scheurer, and his cousin Steve Donahue, who was just one day apart from him in age.