Larry Wayne Edwards

Our beloved husband, father and papa, Larry Wayne Edwards, went to be with the Lord on September 8, 2022. Larry was born on December 28, 1936 in Cutler, California to Louis and Eileen Edwards.

Larry graduated from Orosi High School and was an outstanding three sport athlete. He attended Reedley College where he played football.  Larry then enlisted in the Army and served with the 101^st airborne division as a paratrooper and helicopter mechanic.  While stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, he met and married Dorothy Compton in 1959.  Upon discharge from the service, Larry and Dorothy returned to the Cutler-Orosi area via Stockton, Santa Maria, San Francisco and Fresno.

In 1968, after working eight years for PG&E, Larry decided to go into business with his lifelong friend, Doy Weldon.  Along with their wives, they started W & E Electric; now a 53 year old family owned and operated business serving the local community.  In 2010, W & E Electric was named Business of the Year by the Cutler-Orosi Chamber of Commerce. Larry turned over leadership of the business to his son-in-law which allowed him to spend more time at home on the ranch in Orange Cove growing his citrus farming business.

Larry served the community of Cutler-Orosi in many aspects.  He was on the Board of Directors for the Orosi PUD, president and senior member of the Cutler-Orosi Kiwanis Club, chairman of the Cutler-Orosi Lions and Kiwanis Classic Car Night fundraiser, trustee at the Orosi First Baptist Church, instructor of basic electricity in 4-H Club and an instructor of hunter safety classes in Orosi. He was named Man of the Year by the Cutler Latin-American Club in 2000.

Larry was an avid outdoorsman.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, water skiing, and working with horses. He had his pilot's license and loved flying.  He built his own plane and he and Dorothy enjoyed many cross country trips together.

Larry was a member of the First Baptist Church in Dinuba. He was a devout Christian and a man of good character. He was honest, fair, humble and generous.  Larry was a faithful friend to all who knew him.

Above all, Larry was a devoted family man.  Larry was blessed to have three daughters: Robie Rinaldi (Marco), Lori Thomas (Kevin) and Jennifer Pacillas (Alex). He had seven grandchildren: Megan Marquez (Mike), Nathan Rinaldi (Anne), Lauren Thompson (Kevin), Luke Vega, Sara Vega-Tavizon (Jesus), Kelsey Thomas and Tristan Pacillas.  He had seven great grandchildren: Henry Marquez, Jake Rinaldi, Quinn Rinaldi, Brooke Thompson, Emma Thompson, Eli Tavizon and Lucas Tavizon.

Larry is survived by the love of his life, Dorothy, his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  He is also survived by his sisters Margie McKinney and Dawn Hayhurst.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Betty James.

Visitation will be at Dopkins Chapel in Dinuba on Thursday, September 22, 2022, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A Memorial Service will follow a private burial on Friday, September 23, 2022, at 10:30 a.m., at First Baptist Church in Dinuba.

If desired, a donation in Larry's name can be made to the Orosi High School Scholarship Fund, 41815 Road 128, Orosi, CA 93647.