Larris John Vlach was born on Oct. 31, 1947, in Prentice, Wisconsin. He was the son of Roy and Dorothy Vlach. He passed away peacefully at home on June 11, 2024, after a long battle with cancer.
Larris graduated from Napavine High School in 1966 where he was very active in sports, including holding the shot put record for 50 years. After high school, he spread his love of sports by coaching Little League baseball.
Larris made his career as a saw filer working in various sawmills in Washington and Oregon.
He was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting, fishing and hiking. In 2021, he hiked 700 miles. He said it was for exercise, but his wife Karen said it was for staking out the hunting areas. As a hobby, he maintained a huge vegetable garden and did all his own canning.
Larris is survived by his loving wife, Karen; his three children, Trent (Chris) Vlach, of Chehalis, Tonja Vlach, of Chehalis, and Ty (Angie) Vlach, of Chehalis; five grandchildren, Beau McPherson, Charles Brown, Jennifer Willson, Jack Vlach and Gunnar Vlach; siblings, Loren Vlach and Peggy Vlach; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Larris is preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Dorothy Vlach, and his brother, Gordon Vlach.
A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 20, 2024, at Mayme Shaddock Park in Napavine. All friends and family are invited.
Memorials may be made to the Cancer Society.
