Lawrence (Larry) Elliott Elford
Lawrence (Larry) Elliott Elford passed away Friday, July 27, at the age of 76 due to a massive stroke. His life will be celebrated with a Mass at 11 a.m., Aug. 6 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. There will be a law enforcement/fire procession followed by full military burial at West End Cemetery in Buhl, Id. Knights of Columbus members with whom he served will pay respect with the color corp and presentation of a Chalice.
Born Dec. 16, 1942 to Harold and Mary Elford of Elmira, N.Y., he was raised in a U.S. Air Force family, and as a result his childhood included extensive travel.
Larry served in the United States Army for three years in the early sixties, and after being honorably discharged, attended and graduated The Ranger School at Wanakena, New York, now known as The State University of New York-College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF) The Ranger School.
He spent time working with his brother, Hal, as a sign painter and went on to seasonal firefighting for United States Forest Service. During the off-season, he trained horses for and helped on the ranch of Jack Haley, known for his role as the Tin Man in MGM’s classic film, “The Wizard of Oz.”
When he met his wife, Connie Karel, he decided it was time to follow a full-time career path, and made USFS his choice, first in fire suppression, prevention and management and eventually moving to the law enforcement side. First and foremost, he was always Smokey’s friend, and provided his children with a priceless childhood spent running for hours, days on end through some of the country’s most beautiful national forests.
He spent 2.5 years teaching at The Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, (FLETC) at Glynco, Ga., before taking on his last USFS detail, based in Palisades, Colo.
He and Connie returned to Idaho after retirement in 1998, residing first in Hagerman, before moving to the Karel Family Home Place, built by Frank and Emma Karel and remodeled by Larry.
He was a lifelong member of Knights of Columbus, serving in various capacities, including Grand Knight and most recently as financial officer of the Buhl Chapter. His involvement began in Ukiah, Calif., and followed him to St. Rita’s in Sierra Madre; Sacred Heart, Susanville; St. Thomas Moore, The Crusader, Oroville, all in Calif.; and to St. Catherine’s in Hagerman and Immaculate Conception in Buhl, both in Idaho. He was responsible for bringing The Silver Rose to Idaho in 2017, and each Friday at 3 a.m. attended Adoration of the Holy Eucharist.
He loved to camp, fish and visit with friends. He also volunteered as an AARP tax preparer, helping the area’s senior population.
Larry is preceded in death by his parents, sister Mary, brothers and sisters-in-law Hal and Betty and Ed and Anne; niece, Veronica, and nephew Joe.
Larry is survived by his wife, Connie; daughters and sons-in-law, Karel; Karey and Todd Reali; Kathleen and Paul Madalena; and Barbara and Darrell Moore; grandchildren, Emily, Taylor, Bryana, Marshall, Emma, Caleb, Adam, Harold and David; great-granddaughter, Scarlet and numerous sisters and brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to one of the following organizations: Salt & Light Radio, www.saltandlightradio.com , 1050 N. Clover Dr., Boise, Idaho 83703; Stanton Health, www.stantonhealthcare.org, 3684 N. Harbor Dr., Boise, Idaho 83703; or Buhl Quick Response Unit, 201 Broadway Ave., Buhl, Idaho 83316.
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