Mr. Lawrence Donald Dralle's Obituary
Lawrence (Larry) Donald Dralle, 84, of 5601 Orchard Street, Tacoma, died on November 29. He was preceded in death by his wife Elizabeth, father Floyd, mother Alice, and sister Phyllis. He was born on February 28, 1929 in Yankton, SD. Larry and Elizabeth were married September 10, 1954 in New York.
Larry’s passions were his family, service to his country and community, education and travel. He retired as a master sergeant from the US Air Force and was a veteran of the Korean conflict and Vietnam war. He received his MBA from Pacific Lutheran University (1976) and went on to pursue a second career as a civilian comptroller for the US Army at then Fort Lewis, from which he retired--again. He also served on the faculty at Tacoma Community College teaching introductory computer courses.
He served several years on the McChord Credit Union (now Harborstone) supervisory committee and received the distinction of board member emeritus. A devoted churchman, he was a longtime member of Little Church on the Prairie in Lakewood and served several years as an elder AND deacon and served on the Synod of Alaska-NW Presbytery Supervisory Committee (PC-USA).Larry was a member of the Air Force Sergeants Association and Toastmasters, and he was a very faithful blood donor to the American Red Cross.
Larry was a creative and resourceful man who found joy tinkering, building and repairing. His workshop was a well-organized collection of tools, equipment and materials.He loved to travel and had that opportunity professionally and with his family through a number of overseas assignments. He instilled in his family a spirit for trying new things, visiting new places, and meeting new people.
Larry will be deeply missed by those who survive him: daughters and sons-in-law Dana and Scott Frost (Central, SC), Kala Dralle and Keith Shores (Tacoma), Mara and Carl Funk (Seattle); brother Robert (and Joy) Dralle (Granger, IN), sister Onalee Brand (Fort Myers, FL) and Linda (and Jon) Boone (Eagle River, AK); grandchildren Kara Frost (Bethesda, MD) and Collin Frost (Central, SC); along with many nieces, nephews and cousins across the US.
Cremation and burial arrangements are being handled by Mountain View in Lakewood. Arrangements for a memorial service are pending. Condolences may be sent to the family or may be posted at http://www.mountainviewtacoma.com/obituaries/Lawrence-Dralle/.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Red Cross.
What’s your fondest memory of Lawrence?
What’s a lesson you learned from Lawrence?
Share a story where Lawrence's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Lawrence you’ll never forget.
How did Lawrence make you smile?