Larry Ray Garriott

“When I saw you, I fell in love and you smiled because you knew”, are words to describe the 53 year love affair of Larry Garriott with his wife, Debbie. Meeting at Long Beach City College on the first day of class of Debbie’s second semester in college, Larry took her teenage breath away.

29-year-old Larry had decided to utilize the GI Bill to attend college after being drafted into the Marine Corp. and beginning civilian life at 23. Divorced after a previous marriage, Larry chose to go back to school. Debbie has been forever grateful that he made this decision. It is where their lives began.

Raised in California, Oregon, and Washington, Larry learned early that hard work was his foundation. His father, “Jack” and his mother, Georgia, were both examples of the greatest generation, working nonstop to raise Larry, his twin brother, Lyle, Dale, Anita, and Jackie. Not an easy era, Georgia and Jack provided the model of what resolute determination looks like. Larry and his siblings carried it forward with pride and recognition as they matured into adulthood.

Larry became a teacher at Long Beach City College and Poly High School before he stepped back into industry, purchasing and managing Hercules Portable Power for 36 years. He confidently provided emergency power to companies across California. Especially well known for local installations at Memorial and Los Alamitos hospitals, Larry and his brother, Dale, had stellar reputations for skill, professionalism, and customer service. A quote hung prominently in the office was “Business goes where it is invited. It returns where it is treated best.” and this mantra was reflected in every customer interaction. 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the business operated from San Diego to San Francisco and beyond.

In addition to his profession, Larry had learned the construction trade from his father, Jack. Larry, Lyle, and Dale worked alongside their father in heavy equipment, statewide sewer pipe installations in Washington, Oregon, and California, as the building of housing and communities grew. Tigert, Oregon, Kennewick, Washington, and desert landscapes in and around California benefited from the Garriott men. Along with his uncle Guy, this group of skilled men and teens did the work and learned the trades of building, mechanical diagnosis and troubleshooting. As a result, Larry became a craftsman in building homes to restoration of original designs. Perfection was the foundation of everything he did.

At age 40, Larry became a daddy to Alexis Davis-Garriott. His cherished daughter at first sight, he raised her with Debbie by his side. No prouder father, Alexis was his most proud creation. His life was now complete as he participated in her life. He cried every time she sang or performed. He was there for set building, performing arts locational management, driving her to and from the endless rehearsals and never missed any of her performances as a child, teen or adult. He combed her hair, helped build her California mission, hand-sewed rips and torn jeans, hemmed her pants and ironed her outfits. He was truly her biggest fan from the time she arrived on April 15, 1984. So very proud of her, he glowed in her presence. Then she gave him his grandchild.

Grayson Winter Redmond, now aged 4, became the focus of Larry’s energy the day he was born. He just couldn’t believe how wonderful it was to be “Grandpa”. He began restoring toys, babysitting, feeding and at age 3, taking Grayson to school every day. Grandpa and Grayson shared applesauce each morning before school, buckled up Monday through Friday to travel to Buffum TLC school in Long Beach. The staff loved him as he would guide Grayson across the campus to Room 13. “Bye Grandpa!” was now the music to his ears. He loved him unconditionally, to the moon and back. From the first day of school to the last day Larry took Grayson, he would tell Debbie, “He’s the coolest boy on campus.”

Larry and his sister Anita taught Grayson to swim during the summers of 2023, 2024 and 2025. Anita, a professional swimmer, named their twice-per-week sessions “Grandpa & Me” to the delight of her brother.

Larry’s presence was securing to many. He selflessly cared for others. He was a beautiful man, handsome until his final breath. Humble, thoughtful, a listener who needed no attention, quiet in a crowd but passionate and loving alone. He loved deeply and respectfully. Always putting others ahead of himself, he needed no recognition. He laughed heartily, especially at his brothers-in-law, Randy and Phil, stepped up for nieces and nephews, loved baseball games for Ben and Ryan. Larry was always there, until he wasn’t.

Saying we will miss him just isn’t enough. The gaping hole in many hearts burns deeply. From his two sisters-in-law, Linda and Sue, to his neighbors surrounding Wardlow Park, Larry left a piece of his heart. Forever grateful to friends, Bobbie and Joe, Colleen and Larry, Pete and Becky, John, Michael, Michelle and Celia, Salim and Cathy, Amber and Roger, and his beloved sister, Anita, Larry felt the warmth and support. He knew you were all there. To Randy and Linda, Jill and Tom, Brian, Patti and Paul, the medical and rehab teams at Memorial Hospital of Long Beach, as a family, we thank you. We will never forget how you supported us, encouraged him, visited, shared food and your devotion to making these last weeks tolerable. We love you all.