Larry Joe Stadler Obituary (2026)

Larry Joe Stadler, 85, of Yakima, Washington died at Memorial Hospital on April 17, 2026, surrounded by his loved ones. He was born on April 14, 1941, in Tacoma, Washington to Joseph Stadler and Shirley Maxine Parr. Larry was proud of his time as a Washington State Patrol Officer and the career he built as an entrepreneur in accident reconstruction. He loved his family and spending time with his grandchildren. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, and gold miner—even more impressive was his storytelling. He could capture the minds of people young and old with his stories of adventure, needing rescued while battling massive waves at the mouth of the Columbia River, and being hunted when he was supposed to be the hunter. Larry was fearless and full of life—he took this valiant spirit with him into death. Larry was a tall man, but his presence carried more grandeur than his stature. He commanded attention in every room he entered. His boisterous laugh would echo off the walls as he told stories of salmon wrangling in Astoria and hunting big game in the Northwest. His grandchildren grew up with a grandfather who read them books under the watchful eyes of cougar, elk, deer, a four-horned goat, and most notably a magnificent yak. Going to grandma’s and grandpa’s house was always a beloved adventure. Grandma Penny had their yard squared away with grass lines that could rival T-Mobile Park. Grandpa Larry had an abundance of treats from king salmon to goose jerky. Together they spoiled their family with love, laughter, food, and an environment so welcoming it was easy to forget the challenges that existed amidst the real world just beyond their fences. Larry was grateful for his loyal caregivers of the last twelve years and the loving support of his family and friends. He was preceded in death by his son Scott Stadler, wife Donna Stadler, brother Walter Stadler, sister Barbara Stadler, and Penny Stadler. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Patrick and Jennifer Stadler and their three children and four grandchildren, Kristy Bain, Kelley Weinzetl (Taylor), Kassie Stadler (Leah), Juliana, Jenny, Liam, and Rhodes, as well as his son and daughter-in-law, Randy and Kelly Stadler and their three children and five grandchildren, Jordan Starbuck, Sydney Heidt (Sam), and Nicholas Stadler (Loni), Liam, Autumn, Kennedy, Alice, and Bennett.