Larry Lee Cotant

On Wednesday, July 3, 2013, after a long struggle with heart disease, Larry Lee Cotant peacefully passed away in his sleep at his home in Cheney, WA. The second of four children, Larry was born on July 16, 1963 in Valentine, NE to Larry and Kay Cotant. Because his dad was known by everyone as Larry, the son would be forever known by close family and friends as “Larry Lee”. In the summer of 1968, because of better job opportunities, Larry Lee’s parents moved him, his sister LaWayna (Ben Smith) and his brother Kenny to Spokane, WA; one year later he was given a little sister, Kaylene. Larry Lee graduated from Central Valley High School in 1982 with not only Kenny but also a ton of friends. He had a handsome smile and easy going nature that drew people to him like flies to honey; there is no one out there that he was not a friend to. Early in his Senior year at Central Valley, Larry Lee enlisted in the Navy and left for basic training shortly after graduation. While stationed in San Diego, Larry Lee met Tracy McClendon, the love of his life. Because they were fortunate enough to be living in Washington State, on May 15, 2013 after being together for 26 years, he was finally able to realize a dream and legally marry Tracy. Upon returning to Spokane after being discharged from the Navy, Larry Lee worked at several odd jobs around town before he landed a full time position at Home Club where he worked for about 5 years. It was during this time that he decided he wanted to learn how to be a truck driver like his father and his grandfather before him. He was employed with FedEx Freight when his health forced him to make a change in his life. Larry Lee became a foster parent and was a foster father to four boys on his passing. He enjoyed horseback riding, camping and going to hockey and baseball games, the Spokane Chiefs and the Spokane Indians will have one empty seat this coming season. Larry Lee is preceded in death by his grandparents Leo and Opal Cotant, and Bill and Bessie Pourier, Aunt Dorothy Gardner, Uncle Lance Cotant, cousins Billy Wayne Dahlgrin and Rick Gardner. In addition to his immediate family and husband, Tracy McClendon, he is survived by his fur babies McKinsey, Tikka, and Jazzy; nieces Jessica Atwood, Leslie Smith and Melissa Cotant; Aunt Arlene (Bill) Dahlgrin, Uncle Leslie (Deb) Cotant, Aunt Helen (Ralph) Ballard, Uncle Bill (Carol) Pourier, Uncle Don Gardner, Aunt Ruth Brown; his best friend Sue Hardgrove, Viola Agee, Mike, Chalky, Robin, Marci, and Andrea as well as many extended family members. A viewing will be held at Cheney Funeral Chapel, 16323 W First Street, Cheney, WA 99004 on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 from 11:00 am to 12:00 with a reception following at his home 29002 W Boston Rd., Cheney, WA 99004. Contributions can be made in his name to ASPCA.

Larry Lee Cotant

July 16, 1963 - July 3, 2013