Gary L. Largent, John Largent to family, friends and neighbors, 88, went to be with the Lord Wednesday, June 16, 2021, at Kootenai Health in Coeur d’Alene after suffering a fall Sunday at his home in Moscow.
John: husband, father, cousin, grandpa, great-grandpa and friend to nearly everyone he met, was born in Colfax to Fred and Josephine Parvin Largent, July 6, 1932. He spent his early childhood on a farm at the base of Kamiak Butte, attending grade school in Albion and junior high school in Colfax. In 1945, his father bought a farm outside Potlatch, and John attended Potlatch High School, graduating in 1950.
Later that year, he married Ardis LaVoy, another Potlatch High graduate. They started their married life living above the train depot in a small apartment. John worked for Potlatch Forest in the mill at Potlatch and later transferred to the Lewiston mill.
While living in Lewiston, John was drafted into the Army and shipped to Camp Roberts, Calif., for basic training as a radio operator, where Ardis soon joined him. After basic training, John was stationed at Fort Belvoir, Va., for more training and soon shipped out to Germany, where he was stationed on the Czechoslovakian border. John returned to the states and was discharged in Nov., 1954, after which he served eight years in the Army Reserve.
After his military service, John held many jobs, from saw filer to truck driver, but he always came back to his primary occupation: farmer. He raised many different crops over the years and always loved living on the land and watching his crops grow, mature and be harvested. He also raised cattle and was an auctioneer.
John is survived by his wife, Lois Grasham Largent, whom he married in 2010, at their Moscow home; sons, Terry and Nancy of Potlatch, Todd and Patti of Lewiston, and daughter, Sharon Montgomery of Potlatch. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Chris Largent of Potlatch, Nicole Largent of Potlatch, Jordan and Aaron Stover of Lewiston, Payton Largent of Lewiston, Joe and Shauna Montgomery of Columbus, Mont., and Michael and Sally Montgomery of Potlatch; seven great grandchildren, Cade and Cohen Stover, Abby and Dean Montgomery and Millie, Mabel and Mavis Montgomery; along with many cousins, nieces and nephews; as well as his brother-in-law, Ed McBride of Colfax, and Lois’s three children, Charlie and Deb Grasham of Boise, their five children and one great grandchild, Cary and Rob Imeson of Boise and their five children and two great-grandchildren, and James and Polly Grasham of Harrison, Idaho, and their two children. His best friend for over 50 years, Jim Hagedorn, whom he loved like a brother, survives him in Viola.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Josephine Parvin Largent; his sister, Connie McBride; and son Rick, who passed away in 2013. Rick’s daughter Sarah and John’s first wife, Ardis, also preceded him.
John loved his family, his country, his dear friends and his Lord. We will see you again in Heaven. It’s been a great ride!
The funeral for John Largent will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Grace Community Church, Fourth and Larch in Potlatch with graveside service to follow at Freeze Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Potlatch Senior Meal Site, P.O. Box 129, Potlatch, ID 83855 or Mountain Home Grange No. 285, 1300 Cora Road, Potlatch, ID 83855 or the charity of your choice.
