Lawrence George Wilke, Sr.

Larry was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on May 17, 1938, the eldest son of Lawrence and Bernadette Wilke. He grew up in the Walnut Hills area of Cincinnati and graduated from Purcell High School where he played football. Larry always dreamed of becoming a police officer and in 1957 that dream became a reality when he joined the Cincinnati police department as a cadet and then later became an officer. In 1967, Larry resigned from the police force and moved his young family to California to be closer to his parents and brothers. It wasn’t long before he found his place with the Burbank police department, patrolling the streets and running the jail until his retirement in 1985.

After retirement, Larry pursued another one of his dreams and moved to Bend, Oregon to begin a life as a farmer. He and Nancy raised sheep, chickens, goats, cows, miniature horses, as well as whatever other animals that wandered onto the farm. During that time, Larry also became a Deschutes County sheriff working at the Juvenile Detention Center in Bend.

In 2003, It was family again that prompted a move. This time it was their grandchildren that uprooted Larry and Nancy and brought them back to California to enjoy a second retirement where they were able to enjoy many family events such as holidays, parties and watching their grandchildren participate in the many sports that they all played.

Over the years, Larry and Nancy hosted many family gatherings at their home in Visalia, aka “The Compound.” Countless happy memories were made there for everyone. Larry and Nancy also enjoyed going camping in their motorhome with family and friends, and their camping group, The Fresno Floaters. One of their favorite destinations was Pismo Beach, especially on the 4th of July!

To say Larry loved sports is an understatement. He LOVED sports, especially football, basketball, and baseball. Being from Ohio, his favorite teams were The Ohio State Buckeyes, the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cincinnati Reds. However, his basketball team was the Los Angeles Lakers. When the kids were younger, he coached their baseball and football teams.

Above all else, Larry loved his family the most. His family meant the world to him. He loved Nancy, his wife of 48 years. He loved his five children Lorraine, Tom, Scott, Larry and Mike. Their spouses, Matt, Judie, Shari, Amy and Donna. He loved his 16 grandchildren, his 14 great grandchildren, his brothers Joe, Tom (deceased) Jim and Dave. He loved his countless nieces and nephews, his large extended family and those friends who are like family.

Larry was his family’s rock. He was their hero and will be greatly missed by all.