Lawrence Raymond Mckelvie

Lawrence "Larry" Raymond McKelvie, 79, a 28 year resident of Diamond Bar, CA, passed away of natural causes on Sunday, September 2, 2018 at Eisenhower Hospital in Rancho Mirage, CA . Larry and wife Joan Marie (Strand) McKelvie moved to Palm Desert, CA in 2014 to be closer to family caregivers. In the last years of his life, Larry endured the progression of Alzheimer's disease.

Larry was the grandson of Montana homesteaders and early residents of Yellowstone County Montana. He was born in Billings, MT on November 26, 1938 to Lorene Ann (Kirch) McKelvie and Raymond Nicholas McKelvie. In 1942, Ray McKelvie took his young family to Everett WA to serve the war effort in the shipyards. The family returned to Billings in 1946. There Ray McKelvie opened a barber shop and Lorene continued her teaching profession. A family of modest means, Larry did many small jobs to contribute to the family. He spent summers of his adolescence working on the fishing boats in Alaska. Larry attended Billings High School. There he established a group of close friends whom he would hold dear his entire life. Most importantly, it was there that Larry met his future wife, Joan Strand. The two were married in December 1959. Larry attended Rocky Mountain and Eastern Montana College in Billings. From there, the young couple moved to Seattle WA where he would complete his Master's Degree at University of Washington. As an early career engineer, his employer moved the family consecutively to Berkeley then Santa Maria, CA. Union Oil sponsored his doctoral studies at University of California at Berkeley. During these years they welcomed two children into their lives, daughter Kathryn Ann (1962) and John Nicholas (1965).

The McKelvie family moved to the Chicago suburbs in 1969. Larry joined a team of engineers to design and build the Union Oil refinery in Romeoville, IL. It was in Woodridge, IL that the McKelvies raised their children. The McKelvies were early and active members of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. As their relatives lived far from them, the church community became their family of choice. Larry's deep Christian faith remained with him throughout his life. As a father, Larry supported his children in all of their activities and pursuits. Most years, the McKelvies returned to their Billings hometown to spend summer vacation with family and friends. Larry became a dedicated jogger, a practice he continued until late in life. He was an early member and leader of Prince of Peace's Christo Canoe trip. For many years, Larry and one or both of his children spent a week canoeing, camping and fishing in the Boundary Waters of Minnesota and Canada. Larry's other joys included gardening, early mornings in his well tended yard, picnics, car trips, pick-up volleyball games, and suppers with friends.

Larry and Joan returned to Diamond Bar, CA in 1986. There, Larry finished his career with Unocal. He spent his retirement years devoted to the lives of his grandchildren. Kurt, Shawn, and Mariah were Larry's great joy. The McKelvies were active members of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Rowland Heights, and later Messiah Lutheran Church in Yorba Linda. Larry was dedicated to the ministry of their Men's Group.

Lawrence McKelvie was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Lorene. He is survived by his wife, Joan Marie McKelvie; daughter, Kathryn Warren; son, John McKelvie; grandsons, Kurt Warren and Shawn Warren, granddaughter, Mariah Warren; and great granddaughter, Addison Silletto Warren.

A memorial service is going to be held at
Messiah Lutheran Church
Yorba Linda, Ca
Saturday Sept 22, 11:00 am
Reception to follow