Larry J Klika

- Larry John Klika, 68, passed away on Saturday, April 29, 2017. He is survived by his wife, Linda, sons, Brett (Lisa), Bart (Erika) and three amazing little granddaughters: Lucy (5), Maddie (3) and Piper (2); sister Karen, and brothers Mike, Jerry and Joe.

Larry was born on Aug. 10, 1948, in Appleton, Wisconsin, to Evern and Cyril Klika. In 1964, his family moved to Salem, Oregon. There Larry attended North Salem High School and graduated in 1966. He attended his 50-year high school reunion last summer. After high school Larry was accepted into the School of Pharmacy at Oregon State University. In college, he renewed his friendship with Linda Hippe, who he had dated in high school. They were married during the summer between their junior and senior years in college. After graduation from OSU, Larry completed his internship at the State Hospital Pharmacy in Salem, Oregon. Larry and Linda loved camping and fishing on the North Santiam River. Larry even built his own fly rod and tied his own flies. He had several retail and hospital positions, but in 1974 he and Linda decided to make some changes in their lives. They quit great jobs and moved to Alaska. With their love for the outdoors they were sure that was the place to be.

Unfortunately, bad luck seemed to be following them and they headed back to Oregon. Larry applied to and was accepted at Oregon State University in a master's program for a degree in Fish Toxicology. He received his master's degree in 1976. Larry and Linda's first son, Brett was born in January 1977. Larry couldn't believe he could love this little one so much from the first second he saw him. That same year Larry accepted a hospital pharmacist position in Coos Bay, Oregon at Bay Area Hospital.

Their second son, Bart, was born there in June 1980. Again, Larry couldn't believe how much he loved this new little guy in our family.

In 1983, Larry went to work for Kaiser Permanente in Portland, Oregon. He was known for his humor and funny stories. Larry loved to make people laugh. His staff presentations always involved some funny "hook" to hold the group's attention. Those were busy years with work, camping and attending Brett and Bart's sports (track, baseball and soccer), as well as school programs, concerts and plays. He was always so proud of his sons and their accomplishments. Then, as they married, he was also proud of Lisa and Erika, his daughters in law.

After the boys headed to college he and Linda started walking and then running 5K and then 10K races. They found out they were very competitive and had many funny stories to share. Larry even did a triathlon in 2013. He also got talked into swing dance lessons and loved going dancing on Friday nights. His last 15 years were spent as a clinical pharmacist in the Medication Management program for Kaiser.

Larry retired in 2012. That year his first granddaughter, Lucy, was born. Then Maddie in 2013 and Piper in 2015. When these little sweeties came along "Papa" could not believe he still had so much love to give these little angels we were blessed with.

In March 2015, Larry and Linda moved to Missoula. That fall he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. He went on to become involved with the Missoula Aging Services Coalition on Aging and Disabilities. He served on a panel speaking to physicians and seniors about Alzheimer's disease. He encourage people to live their lives to the fullest for as long as they could. Larry and Linda started a coffee group, "Living Well with Dementia" for people in the early stages of the disease so they could all support each other on this journey.

On Feb. 10, 2017, Larry suffered a stroke which developed many life-threatening complications, making the Alzheimer's progress more quickly. He passed away on April 29.

A memorial service will be held to honor his life on Wednesday, July 19, at 1 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Missoula, 300 E. Main St., Missoula, Montana 59802.

In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to be sent to Missoula Aging Services for the Coalition on Aging and Disabilities to help with their efforts to make Missoula a Dementia Friendly Community. The address is 337 Stephens Ave., Missoula, Montana.