Lorence “Larry” Bessette, age 79, of Valley City, ND, died Sunday, September 15th at his residence under CHI Hospice Care. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, September 22nd at Trinity Lutheran Church in Valley City. Visitation will be held one hour before the service at the church on Saturday afternoon. Funeral arrangements by the Lerud Mathias Funeral Home of Valley City.

Larry Bessette, the son of Howard and Victoria (Patterson) Bessette, was born June 30, 1939 in West Fargo, ND. He attended West Fargo schools, graduating in 1957. He attended Spartan School of Aeronautics receiving his FAA Airframe and Powerplant Certification in 1959; earned his AA in Electronics from Mesa Community College in 1971 and his BS in Business Administration from Arizona State University in 1974. In 1959, he married his first wife, Margaret Ann Swenson in Valley City, ND. He always called her that “Just to keep her on her toes.” They began married life in Hastings, MN where he was the youngest mechanic hired by North Central Airlines in 1959. In 1966, he moved to Phoenix, AZ to work for Bonanza Airlines, which later merged with two airlines to become Hughes Airwest. The years he was associated with Hughes, (1966-1978) where the highlights of his career as a mechanic and finally a supervisor of Avionics Maintenance. His initial goal of working for the Federal Aviation Administration started early in his career and he applied often but only received notice to “reapply when you grow up” so to speak.

In 1978, he received the letter that began his career with the agency he had the most respect for. His first office was in Chicago for training and then to Indianapolis, IN for a permanent position of Principal Avionics Inspector which he held from 1979-1983.

In 1983, he became a Washington Branch Specialist and his career advanced until he retired in 2005 as Manager of the Avionics Branch. Throughout his working years, aviation was his central interest. He owned several airplanes, the last being his pride and joy a twin engine Geronimo. He also loved riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle which was way too large for him but he rode it anyway. But those interests faded when he retired and moved to Valley City and was introduced to CNC, (Computer Numerical Control) machinery. He built a shop (which soon became much too small) and purchased a Plasma Cutter, which led to a Tormach Milling Machine, Laser Printer and lastly a 3-D Printer. He has at least five computers and it was not uncommon to find him running two computers and four screens at one time. His thirst for knowledge was endless. He was always very willing to share that knowledge with anyone who had a few hours to spare. Larry was always there to anyone that needed help. If he found about a fund raiser, he had just the things to raise money. Need a new part? He could do that. Sidewalk need shoveling? Be right there. Car Busted? In his early years he could fix it himself, but now he would give you the name of a good garage. Want to learn to weld? Classes would start as soon as you arrived at his shop. He would never take payment for any projects as he said he could not see charging for his education.

Larry is survived by his wife of 59 years, Margaret (Marge), children, Lynne (Larry), Denver, CO, Carin, Juneau, AK, Bruce (Maggie) Tuscon, AZ and Carlene (Brian) Stafford, AZ; one sister, Pat (Verne); 12 Grandchildren.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents and one sister. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be given to the Trinity Lutheran Church Maintenance Fund. Funeral arrangements by the Lerud Mathias Funeral Home. An online guestbook is available at www.lerudschuldt.com.