The world lost a wonderfully unique person when Larry Anderson passed away on October 7, 2012 in Helena, Montana. While we should have been prepared for this departure given Larry’s health issues, his passing still leaves a hole in our lives and hearts.
Larry was born January 18, 1937, in Plattsburg, Missouri during the last years of the Depression. When he was two years old he and his family, including older brother Fred, moved to Montana briefly, and then back to Missouri when his father enlisted in the Navy. After the war, the whole family moved back to Billings where they put down roots and welcomed a sister, Jo Anne to the family.
Larry’s love of words and reading began early and lasted a lifetime. Starting with classics like the Pilgrim’s Progress and Oliver Twist, he soon became a voracious reader. He continued his love of books throughout his life and particularly enjoyed science fiction and fantasy novels. He earned a bachelor’s degree in English and Social Studies from Eastern Montana College and began a teaching career. Later, Larry returned to school to get credentialed as a librarian and ultimately moved to Helena in 1968 where he served for 21 years as Helena High’s head librarian. While there he also acted as a speech team and drama coach as well as mentoring an ongoing crew of student library assistants. During this time, Larry worked to bring the American Federation of Teachers (ATF) into the District along with the National Education Association (NEA) and was the lead labor negotiator during teacher-district salary bargaining sessions. He retired from the Helena school district in 1989. Displaying his great sense of humor, he was quoted as saying; “The hard part of being a librarian is that you never have time to sit and read the books you are handling. But I’m sorry not to see the kids. It’s like working in a zoo. When you leave, you still miss the animals!”
In addition to his professional activities, he represented young peoples’ interests in Helena’s Model Cities program and argued for the historic preservation of Helena’s downtown when Urban Renewal dollars threatened to change the core of the city. He spent two summers managing “Fat Andy’s Never Sweat Shop”, an antique store in Reeder’s Alley and he furthered his interest in antiques by serving as an appraiser and handling estate sales. In his later years, Larry was a regular diner at the Helena Senior Center and most recently served as the President of the Helena Center’s Advisory Board.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his brother, Fred (Dee) Anderson and sister, Jo (Art) Lamey as well as many nieces and nephews.
There will be a memorial service for Larry at the Helena Senior Center at 12:30 pm on Tuesday, October 16th in the dining area. Memorial donations may be made to the Helena Senior Center, 200 South Cruse Avenue, Helena, MT 59601 or to any Montana public radio station.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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Dave and Crystal Shors says
We’ll miss chatting and laughing with Larry. He had a quick wit and a wicked sense of humor. He was a champion of children, a reader who loved to talk books, and he was a friend who will be missed. Our thoughts are with the family he loved.
Richard Van Nice says
Great hugs to Larry’s family and friends. I will so miss his regular book swaps and our trades of sweetly silly humor. We shared our love of the written word for 37 years, as he happily shared it with everyone he encountered, I hope his next “chapter” continues as an interesting story of great imagination.
Anita Lincoln says
I met Buddha as one of the “animals in the zoo” and was a library assistant. I’m going to miss the wonderful humor he shared when we had chances to visit through all these years.
My sympathy to his family and other friends.
Mark Allen says
Please accept our condolences. I remeber Larry coming down from Helena to his parents house always with a book in one hand and a cigarette in the other. I always enjoyed listening to his humor while having his mom’s freshly baked cookies.
Mark Rocque, Ph.D. says
Larry, taught me so much- especially basic computer programing in the 70’s, not to mention the in’s and out’s of a school library. I spent my time in detention with him and Ms. Matross; now both mentors are gone but not forgotten! Thanks from one of the 76’ers!
Terry Lopez says
He will truly be missed his great smile was contagious. It was my great pleasure to know him at the high school and to spend many a night visiting with him at Country Kitchen. Thanks to his family for sharing him with us. He will be missed.
Jo Lamey says
Thanks for all your kind words about my brother, Larry. It means so much to me to know how much others cared for him and enjoyed his company. I appreciate you all taking the time to share your thoughts with me.