Friends and family remember Larry Latimer

Photo by Joan Anderson, DowneyDailyPhotos.com

The pews were filled at St. Raymond’s Church in Downey, to celebrate the too-short life of Larry Latimer.

It almost seemed as though Larry had just stepped around the corner, or was glimpsed fleetingly, there was such a strong family resemblance between Larry and his brothers, who attended the services.

Boyishly young-looking with a shock of hair over his forehead, Larry was a part of Downey history, and Downey history was Larry’s passion. Many friends like Bob Thompson and Frank Williams were there from the Downey Historical Society, where Larry collaborated on his retro-looking sepia-covered book “Downey,” from the Images of America Series.

“Larry was my kid brother,” began his brother Rick’s eulogy, “and family and friends were important to him.” Larry is mourned by wife Rose and family and by his many friends.

Among those at the celebration of Larry’s Life were John and Suzy Lacey, Jack and Judy Faust, Carol Kearns, Vicki Spearman, Virginia Yoshiyama, Dr. Bob Flynn, Bernie Lewis, Beth Gendreau from the Food Bank, and Claudia Dailey from the Downey Library where Larry’s mother Cleo devoted herself to the Friends of the Downey Library.

A contingent from the Aerospace Legacy Foundation that Larry helped create was led by Gerald and Kathie Blackburn, friends since the 90’s. Jerry was Project Manager with the Boeing Space and Communications Corporation at the Downey site for 35 years. KCET is currently running a series, Blue Sky Metropolis, and segment 3 on Sunday night dealt with Rockwell and Downey’s contributions.

At the reception following the services I was privileged to sit at the Historian’s table with Frank Williams, who said a few words about his friendship with Larry. Ben Dickow from the Columbia Memorial Space Center Foundation, another of Larry’s major pursuits, stopped by. Present were Bob Thompson of the Historical Society, the Blackburns and Arlene Busby, president of the Aerospace Legacy Foundation.

As a bonus we were joined by Aron Ramirez, the recent Stanford graduate who is currently writing a 6-part series on the demographic changes in Downey for the Downey Patriot. Aron is going to Yale to pursue his studies and said his field is Twentieth Century American History. I pointed out that the table was populated by experts in the 20th Century.

As a Renaissance man, Larry was first a scientist but also a writer, historian, photographer, gardener, golfer and lover of nature. He could also quote poetry and loved the LA Angels.

But there was more to Larry. I got to know him after I answered his Computer 1 Solutions ad in the Patriot’s Classified section, under Services: “Senior computer help and printer setup.”

Larry devoted himself to helping seniors over the geriatric gap that the computer created. He was not only expert, and patient when he offered advice, but he thoughtfully gave each us of a small brilliant flashlight. It was for seeing in dark places but also to be used as an emergency beacon.

His kindness in the darkness of technological frustration was the sort of light a civilized man shares with his fellow beings.

“There will be a memorial service for Larry, probably in October,” said Jerry Blackburn. “We’ll pull together the Historical Society along with the Aerospace Legacy Foundation.”

“And the Coordinating Council,” added Kathy.

“We’ll have it at the Columbia Memorial Space Center." said Jerry. "Watch for it on Facebook.”