Larry Manuel Bettencourt
courtesy photo
Larry Bettencourt
POLSON — Larry Manuel Bettencourt was sent above on Jan. 2, 2015, surrounded in the love of his family. Larry was born Sept. 1, 1955, in Brockton, Massachusettes to Joseph and Claire (Bonney) Bettencourt.
In 1962 the family made the cross country move to Hermiston, Oregon. Larry grew up there and graduated from Hermiston High School. Larry worked hard and played hard. He married Joanne Anderson on May 30,1975. Larry’s love for Joanne is as timeless as the earth itself. Together they gave life to three rough and tumble boys.
Larry worked at TermaCold in Hermiston for 20 years. In his younger years it was always work hard, drive fast, and keeping his hands busy. He built many classic cars and trucks over the years, sharing his passion for automobiles with his three boys. His favorite car was his 1955 Chevy that took the family on many adventures. As his boys got older he enjoyed teaching them to drive his 1937 Chevy pickup. In 1995 Larry retired from TermaCold and moved the family to Montana.
Mission Valley is where Larry’s life slowed down. Dad learned to drive slower because back behind those trees in the weeds was his next masterpiece. He loved taking his boys and his loyal dog Smokey into the woods for a load of firewood. Dad’s favorite time was taking his boys for long slow rides down the back roads looking for that diamond in rust.
Larry’s down time was spent drawing the perfect hot rods; pictures we will cherish for many generations to come. Our Pop, husband, son, brother, uncle, and cousin taught us to work hard, play hard, drive slow, and walk slow (known as the Bettencourt Stroll) so you don’t miss out on the diamonds in the rough and to put love and integrity into everything you do. Our Pop will ride on forever with us in our hearts and passenger seats.
Larry is preceded in death by three nephews Aaron, Adam, and Allen Ginther; and grandparents Joseph and Anna May Bettencourt and Charles and Grace Bonney.
Larry is survived by his wife of 39 years Joanne Bettencourt of Polson; his parents Joseph and Claire Bettencourt of Hermiston, Oregon; brother Joseph Bettencourt Jr. of Umatilla, Oregon; and sisters Marie (Terry) Smith of Hermiston and Jennifer and (Tim) Ginther of Portland, Oregon; his three sons Jessie (Shirley) Bettencourt, Mike (Kerry) Bettencourt of Ronan, and Derek (Amanda) Bettencourt of Charlo; five grandchildren: Noah Manuel, Nache Mackenzie, Tia Alma-Claire, Madison Taylor, and Ashlyn Scarlett; also numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A celebration of life is planned for May 30, 2015.
Arrangements are under the direction of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory, (formerly Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory).
