Larry Graydon Looney, 76

| March 3, 2010 3:45 AM

Larry Graydon Looney of Boise, Idaho, died Feb. 16, 2010, at the age of 76, while in Palm Springs, Calif.

Larry was born Dec. 8, 1933, in Caldwell, Idaho, to Harry Francis Looney and Marjorie (Rock) Looney. After graduating from Kamiah High School in 1951, he attended the College of Idaho and then enlisted in the Coast Guard in 1952, stationed in Ellis Island, N.Y. He enrolled at the University of Idaho in 1953 and became a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. Larry married Arma Huschke in 1955. He earned his B.S.Ed. in 1957, and his master’s in School Administration in 1958 from U of I.

Beginning in 1957, Larry was a teacher and principal in Edwall, Wash., then principal of Eastside Elementary in Payette, Idaho, principal of Fort Erwin, Calif., Army Base Elementary School, and Superintendent of Yermo, Calif., School District. Each summer, from 1954 to ’64, he worked as a Smoke Jumper with the U.S. Forest Service in Idaho City and McCall, Idaho.

Larry was principal of Post Falls Elementary from 1964-75 and he served in the Idaho House of Representatives, District 2 for two terms, 1968-72. He was appointed Idaho State Tax Commissioner 1975 and retired as chairman in 1993.

Larry dedicated his working life to public service. He stood for fairness and worked tirelessly for the common good. He was a great leader and teacher who expected the best effort from himself and others, while also having great compassion for those who had obstacles to overcome.

Larry will be deeply missed and is survived by: his wife, Arma H. Looney; daughters Christy Eugenis, Lana Rae Brattin, Alisa Looney and Stacy Looney; grandchildren Hannah Brattin and Finn Womack and brother H. Ray Looney.

In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions be made in Larry’s name to Falls Education Foundation, Attn: Janie Anderson, Post Falls School District, P.O. Box 40, Post Falls ID 83877, E-mail: [email protected], Phone: (208) 773-1658.

Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 24, 2010, at the Cathedral of the Rockies, 717 N. 11th St., in Boise.