Larry Edmond Troxell

Larry Edmond Troxell passed away on Tuesday, August 27, 2013, in Sanford Health, Fargo, ND, surrounded by his family.

Larry was born on September 7, 1952, to Edmond and Lavonne (Hardie) Whelchel, at St. Ansgar Hospital in Moorhead, MN. He attended elementary school in Fargo, until 1966, when the family moved to California. Larry's mother married Jerry Troxell in 1966 and Jerry became Larry's true dad.

The family remained in California and Larry enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at the age of 17, inspired to do so by his uncle, Dick Hardie. Larry served four years with the Marine Corps, from July 27, 1970, to June 17, 1974, earning the National Defense Service Medal, Rifle Sharpshooter Badge and Good Conduct Medal. He served in Honolulu, Hawaii, and two years overseas during the Vietnam Conflict. After his discharge in 1974, he stayed in Hawaii for a number of years.

Larry's first daughter, Melanie Ann, lit up his life in 1980, and made him a proud father for the first time, as he continued to work in service repair. He not only had a great aptitude with machines, he also loved to fix things that were mechanical or technical, and became highly sought after in that field. When he was working at Fotomat, in California, he met Linda Hedrick.

Larry married the love of his life, Linda Mae Hedrick on New Year's Eve 1986, which delighted him. Larry and Linda had their first child together, Adam Christopher, in 1987. Shortly after Adam was born, Larry and Linda moved to North Dakota.

Continuing their life in a new state, the two had their first daughter, Katherine Marie, born in April of 1990, and then in July of 1993, Steven Ray was born. Although Larry suffered from debilitating pain for many years, the real healing that brought him the most joy and eased his pain, was the love he could see in the eyes of his beautiful wife and loving children.

Larry's greatest love was his family. He lived for his family and protected his family to no end. Larry had an avid love of reading and was a talented author. He loved learning. He loved fixing things. He loved to spend time with his children and wife, and they loved spending their time with their dad, be it movies, playing video games, laughing, or the ever-present world of sports. He loved music, he was a great drummer, and his daily passion was the making and eating of popcorn.

He is survived by his loving wife, Linda Mae Troxell; his loving children, Melanie, Adam, Katherine "Katie", and Steven Troxell, all of Fargo; and siblings, Judy Dixon, Fountain Hills, AZ, Nanci Rocheleau, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, Garry Troxell, Palm Springs, CA, and Vicky Troxell, Sun City, CA.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

If you wish to donate to the Larry Troxell Benefit fund, please visit your local U.S. Bank branch.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the memorial service.