Laurance Allen Walton, a loving and steadfast father, passed away October 7, 2013, at home in Bellevue with his family nearby. He was 86.

He was born on February 18, 1927, the youngest of three children of Ross Earl and Alice Susan (Phillips) Walton of Bellingham. Drafted in his senior year at Bellingham High School, Laurance--known as Larry--joined the army shortly after graduation in 1944 and was stationed in Korea for the remainder of World War II.

After the war, he returned to Bellingham, where he worked at the shipyard and briefly attended Western Washington College before realizing he wanted something other than small-town life. He moved to Seattle in the early'50s, attending Broadway Edison Technical College, working various jobs and enjoying city life, especially live jazz music, before landing a job at Puget Power as his father had done before him. As a transmission specialist and transformer engineer, he would design and plan transmission lines throughout western Washington for more than 30 years. His work brought electricity to the bourgeoning cities and land development through 4 counties. He was proud of his work yet humble about its impact for the State and its citizens.

In the meantime, he met and began dating Marjorie Lortz, a graduate student in mathematics at University of Washington. They were married May 31, 1968. The first of their daughters, Sheila Ann, was born in 1969, followed by Jean Marie in 1971.

Larry loved being a father and loved to teach and spend time with his daughters. Always happiest when working on a project, he was a master woodcrafter who made furniture and other items, fixed everything around the house, and maintained a lifelong hobby of photography. He loved music, especially jazz, and had a huge collection of 78s.

He retired from Puget Power in the mid-90s, and throughout his retirement, continued to learn new things (such as the piano), attend concerts and lectures with his daughters, and stay active. After undergoing heart surgery in 2008, he recovered through courage and determination and again enjoyed golf and daily walks.

Larry was always willing to try new things, whether learning how to use a cell phone, playing with an iPad, or trying the new Italian restaurant offerings. He also enjoyed road trips, finding new areas to explore, and keeping tabs on old haunts; seeing the region's electric development.

Larry was a man of sly humor, quiet ways and unwavering dedication to his family. He is mourned by his sister Doris Walton of Mountlake Terrace and daughters Jean and Sheila Walton of Bellevue. His wife Marjorie passed away shortly after his death, on October 20, 2013.