Lt. Cmdr. Lawrence ‘Larry’ Cary McBride was born Aug. 24, 1938, in Detroit, Mich., to John and Gladys (Ryckman) McBride. Larry went to school in Detroit, Mich., then moved to California, where he enlisted in the United States Navy in 1956. Larry was a hospital corpsman, including field service with the 1st and 3rd Marine Divisions and support services with the U.S. Army and Air Force from 1956-57. Larry earned a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from the University of Idaho through a special U.S. Navy scholarship program for active duty Navy and Marine Corp enlisted.
In 1978, he earned a master’s degree in business administration from Pepperdine University through a special U.S. Navy–Pepperdine Scholarship. Larry was commissioned as a U.S. Naval officer and served in various sea and shore assignments from 1967-83.
In 1983, Larry joined the University of Idaho staff as assistant to the chair in the department of chemistry. He later moved to the University Research Office as assistant to the vice president for research. Larry completed his active staff service at UI in 2002.
Larry married Patricia Pierce Espy on May 24, 1986. Larry leaves behind his wife of almost 33 years at their home near Troy. Also surviving are three children, Laurie McGraw and Kevin Espy, of Troy, and Tawny Espy, of Moscow; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; a sister, Gaye Nelson, and her husband, Vern.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Dona Dickenson, and a step-brother, Byrum McBride.
Larry’s favorite thing was to load up the motor home and head to California and Arizona in the winter, where they belonged the H.M.C. Motor Home Club. He left behind many friends there.
Larry passed away Jan. 4, 2019, in Barstow, Calif., on the way to Indo, Calif. “My heart is crushed because we were less than three hours from the destination.” Our daughter, Laurie, said, “It was not the destination, but the journey.”
The funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18, 2019, at Short’s Funeral Chapel. Burial with military honors will be at the Burnt Ridge Cemetery outside Troy. A potluck will follow at the Troy Lutheran Church Social Hall.
The family suggests memorials be made to the Troy Fire and Ambulance Fund, Troy Nazarene Church, or to the University of Idaho Foundation for the Lawrence C. McBride Prize.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Short’s Funeral Chapel, Moscow, and online condolences may be sent to www.shortsfuneralchapel.net.
