Larry Manuel Bettencourt

Larry Manuel Bettencourt was sent above Jan 2, 2015 surrounded in the love of his family. Larry was born Sept 1, 1955 in Brockton, MA to Joseph and Claire (Bonney) Bettencourt. In 1962 the family made the cross country move to Hermiston, OR. Larry grew up there and graduated from Hermiston High School. Larry worked hard and played hard.
Larry married Joanne Anderson on May 30th, 1975. Larry's love for Joanne is as timeless as the earth itself. Together they gave life to three rough and tumble boys. Larry worked at TermaCold in Hermiston for 20 years. In his younger years it was always work hard, drive fast, and keeping his hands busy. He built many classic cars and trucks over the years, sharing his passion for automobiles with his three boys. His favorite car was his 55 Chevy that took the family on many adventures. As his boys got older he enjoyed teaching them to drive his 37 Chevy pickup.
In 1995 Larry retired from TemaCold and moved the family to Montana. Mission Valley is where Larry's life slowed down. Dad learned to drive slower, because back behind those trees in the weeds was his next masterpiece. He loved taking his boys and his loyal dog Smokey into the woods for a load of firewood. Dad's favorite time was taking his boys for long slow rides down the back roads looking for that diamond in rust. Larry's down time was spent drawing the perfect hot rods, pictures we will cherish for many generations to come. Our Pop, husband, son, brother, uncle, and cousin taught us to work hard, play hard, drive slow, and walk slow (known as the Bettencourt Stroll) so you don't miss out on the diamonds in the rough and to put Love and integrity into everything you do. Our Pop will ride on forever with us in our hearts and passenger seats.
Larry is preceded in death by three nephews Aaron, Adam, & Allen Ginther, grandparents Joseph and Anna May Bettencourt, and Charles and Grace Bonney.
Larry is survived by his wife of 39 years Joanne Bettencourt of Polson, his parents Joseph & Claire Bettencourt of Hermiston, OR; brother Joseph Bettencourt Jr. of Umatilla, OR; and sisters Marie & Terry Smith of Hermiston, and Jennifer & Tim Ginther of Portland, OR; his three sons Jessie & Shirley Bettencourt, Mike & Kerry Bettencourt of Ronan, and Derek & Amanda Bettencourt of Charlo; five grandchildren Noah Manuel, Nache Mackenzie, Tia Alma-Claire, Madison Taylor, & Ashlyn Scarlett; and numerous nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.
A celebration of life is planned for May 30th 2015.

Read Larry Bettencourt's Obituary and Guestbook on www.groganfuneralhome.com.