Larry Leon Wellard

     Larry Leon Wellard, 81, a resident of Bliss, passed away on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 at his home in Bliss.

     Larry was born in Hailey, Idaho on July 28, 1943.  He was the third of four children born to Elwin “Bud” and Eunice Wellard.

     The Wellard Family lived in Shoshone until Larry was in second grade. They bought a ranch on the Wood River north of Shoshone where the kids grew up and made some of their fondest family memories.

     When Larry was in high school, the Wellards moved to Wendell. Larry was not interested in school, so at 17, with his mother's permission, he joined the Navy. He served four years as a machinist mate on the USS Caliente (a fleet oiler), where he spent much of his time below deck desalinating water. 

     Larry returned to Wendell and took a job on a sheep ranch. In March of 1965, he met Carmen Bollar the sister of a fellow ranch hand, Lorenzo Bollar, and in August of the same year, they were married. 

In September 1967 the couple took a drive to San Francisco to pick up their first child, a tiny, adorable girl who they named Carrie. Shortly thereafter the family moved to a small village in Idaho called Tuttle where Larry farmed for a local professional cowboy named Bob A. Robinson, 

     In 1969 their son Victor was born, followed by Lori in September 1970, and in August 1972 Shelley arrived, completing their family. 

     In 1973 Larry and Carmen were able to buy the farm they had been living on and some milk cows. They raised cows, and crops, and kids for the next 20 years. It was hard but rewarding work.

After the children grew up and moved away, Larry sold his cows and worked as a farmer for a local dairyman, Frank Veenstra, until his brother, Kenneth, convinced Larry to join him in a fertilizer manufacturing venture. In an old abandoned shop, they built their own equipment, and through trial and error successfully made an Iron-based fertilizer they called SulFeGro.

     Larry retired in the early 2000’s due to waning health. Always the farmer, he continued to care for his property: gardening, mowing, planting, and canning. When he was no longer able to do more physical work. He took up reading books and putting together jigsaw puzzles. He loved western dime novels and the Bible.

     Throughout his life, Larry followed his dreams and was guided by his beliefs. He loved the Lord, his family, his country, and the land. He accepted the Lord at age eight and his relationship with his savior was central to his life. He was a deacon and AWANA leader in the Bliss Community Church for most of his adult life. He taught his children to work hard and live godly lives. He passed on his values to his children and grandchildren including the idea that success has nothing to do with money. He was patriotic: serving in the Navy and voting in every election. Larry was an active member of the surrounding communities. He nurtured plants and animals; and enjoyed camping, fishing, and all of nature.

    Larry lived fearlessly, worked tirelessly, laughed always, and died peacefully.

     He is survived by his wife - Carmen; his brother – Kenneth; and his sister - Verna, four children - Carrie Witt, Victor (Lisa) Wellard, Lori (Darrin) Demaray, and Shelley (Jeff) Adams, as well as 22 grandchildren, and 22 great-grandchildren, who miss him greatly. 

     A funeral service will be held on Friday, November 8, 2024 at 11:00 am at the Bliss Community Church in Bliss.

     Burial will be in the Hagerman Cemetery in Hagerman.

     Funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of Demaray Funeral Service – Gooding Chapel.

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