Larry James Abbott, 74

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Larry Abbott, aka Lawn Mower Man (for those who knew him at Silverwood).

He was seriously injured in a traffic accident Nov. 10 and passed from his injuries Nov. 11, 2023, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, during a windstorm.

Larry was born in Sandpoint, Idaho, during a blizzard Jan. 25, 1949, (at the old Page Hospital) to Carroll Lionell Abbott from Wisconsin and Arloine Marie VonRuden from Montana.

The family moved to Idaho in 1944 where they homesteaded what is now McArthur Lake until 1950. Shortly after his father’s death in October 1949, his mother moved into Sandpoint with her four children and lived at the corner of Main and Division, where Larry grew up. He attended Farmin Elementary and then Sandpoint High.

He went into the Army in May 1969 and served a tour in Vietnam. When he left the service he returned to Sandpoint and went to work at Schweitzer Ski Resort. Then he went to Pack River Lumber which changed hands three times while he was there for 30 years.

He joined the Northside Fire District as a volunteer fireman where he reconnected with Carol Cox at a fire and they married in April 1986. He had a son from a previous marriage and she had two girls from a previous marriage. They welcomed their youngest daughter in 1987. They stayed and raised their children in the Sandpoint area. For the last two years, he worked at Silverwood where he made many new friends and was dubbed “Lawn Mower Man” for his tattoo.

Larry was preceded in death by his father, Carroll Abbott; sister Mitzy Abbott; and his mother, Arloine Abbott.

He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Carolyn Abbott; daughter Samantha and her husband Kevin; and two granddaughters, Ariana and Olivia; his son, Oden, and granddaughter, Anna; two step-daughters, Elizabeth and grandchildren Amanda, William and Erin; and Monica and her husband Justin; his sister, Janice Schindler; brother, Curtis Abbott; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, in Coffelt’s Funeral Chapel with graveside military rites at Pack River Cemetery.

Family and friends are invited to sign Larry’s online guest book at www.coffeltfuneral.com.

Arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.