Obituary of Lawrence Clarke Eldridge

Lawrence ”Larry” Clarke Eldridge March 12, 1949 – April 6, 2015 Larry lost his unbelievably challenging two and a half year battle with cancer the way he wanted, at home, holding hands with his family. Loved by a few, respected by many, Larry leaves behind his loving wife Jean, cherished daughters Jessica Pohlman and Jennifer Gose and treasured grandchildren, Oaklee, Bridger and Quincee Gose. Larry had a life-long list of “loves” including golf, great cigars, good wine, all animals, fishing, cars, saltine crackers, whole milk, and ice cream, diet Pepsi, Elvis and anchovies (this one we could never understand). Larry had a never ending ambition for business and so immediately after graduating from USC on a football scholarship, he went on to become a special division police officer in Los Angeles, California. He had such a “baby face” when he graduated from the police academy that his first assignment was to go under cover at a local high school for an entire year to flush out what turned out to be an extensive drug ring. Simultaneous to serving on the police force and at various times during his career he co-owned 3 restaurants, a tavern, a landscape and pool installation business and knowing him, maybe even a lemonade stand or two. Larry was highly decorated during his career as a policeman when he was involved in two separate shoot outs with suspects of both robbery and murder. He received commendations and letters of recognition from both the police force and private citizens. He moved on after 13 years of service to pursue other career interests. Larry’s next career was with IBM where he attained the position of District Sales Manager and travelled and lived in many places around the US including Atlanta, Georgia and Boston, Massachusetts. He continuously achieved high ranking awards for both his personal and district accomplishments. Finally Larry also had a third career in Sales and Leasing of commercial trucks, the “big rigs” and worked for Rollins Trucking, Ryder Trucking and Kenworth Trucking. These positions were in the Las Vegas, Salt Lake City and Magic Valley area and he was, once again, highly successful and a respected colleague and friend to his customers and co-workers. While working in the Las Vegas area he was approached by a friend about meeting this “wonderful woman” on a blind date here in Twin Falls and that is eventually how he met and married the absolute “love of his life” Jean Herrick. They were married 3 years later on August 31, 2008 while spending a beautiful weekend at the Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch with a small group of friends and family in attendance. T hey had 10 and a half incredibly wonderful years together. The enjoyed all the wonderful offerings of life and were ALWAYS seen together whether they were shopping, at the movies, eating out, travelling, etc. They were truly a “COUPLE IN LOVE”. Larry took fashion cues from no one and you would always predictably meet him in one of his many, many Tommy Bahama embroidered shirts and shorts, even in the dead of winter. Cremation services are being handled by Rosenau’s Funeral Chapel. Larry’s wishes were for no service to be held but instead he wanted his family and friends to join for a joyful celebration of life on Friday, April 17, 2015 at 5:30pm at the Rock Creek Restaurant. In lieu of flowers Larry would ask that you make a donation to the Twin Falls Animal Shelter. Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, LOVE leaves a memory that no one can steal.