Lawrence Michael Werner

Lawrence Michael Werner

Larry Werner passed away on November 30,

2008, following a determined two-year struggle

against melanoma. He was surrounded by his

loving family at their home.

Larry was born in Los Angeles on February

2, 1941, to Lois and Gerard Werner. He

attended Loyola High School and Loyola

University in Los Angeles where he majored

in Finance. Following graduation, he served

as an officer in the United States Navy serving

a tour in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam

War. Rising quickly through the ranks from ensign to commander,

he was stationed aboard the USS Vesuvius, an ammunition carrier,

and later the USS Yorktown, an aircraft carrier. He was honorably

discharged from the Navy while still in Southeast Asia. It was there

that he worked for a time for the CIA’s clandestine air transport

group known to the public as Air America.

Following his duties in Vietnam, Larry moved home to Newport

Beach and went to work for his father in the family’s mining and

construction materials business. The company, then known as Foster

Sand and Gravel, later became known solely as Werner Corporation.

Under Larry’s management and alongside his brother Pat and

brother-in-law Jim Broyles, Werner Corporation has grown into

one of the largest privately-held mining companies in the western

United States. Today, the company produces millions of tons of

rock products each year, supplying materials that are used in the

construction industry throughout Southern California.

Larry was also a generous benefactor of numerous organizations,

including the Boys and Girls Club of the Harbor Area where he

served as Board President and Board Member for more than 30

years. He also served on the Boards of the Newport Harbor Nautical

Museum and Newport Harbor Yacht Club and was a member of

La Quinta Country Club. Larry served in various capacities with a

number of industry-related associations as well, including President

and Board Member of the Southern California Rock Products,

Southern California Ready Mix Association, Temescal Canyon

Advisory Board, and others.

Larry also had a passionate love of travel which prompted his visits

with family and friends to countries throughout Europe, Africa, Asia,

and across the United States. These travels included such locales

as China, Cuba, Hong Kong, and Kenya. In August, Larry and Sue

cruised the Baltic with friends. While there, he was able to visit St.

Petersburg, Russia, which fulfilled one of his long-held dreams.

Larry greatly enjoyed the ocean, traveling frequently with his family

to Catalina Island aboard his beloved boat First Light. Special to

him also were his annual summer fishing trips to Alaska with the

boys. Larry also loved running, snow skiing, and water skiing. In his

spare time, he also built museum-quality wooden ship models and

was an avid reader of military history.

Throughout his life, “Larbo” never missed a party – the bigger the

better! It is in this spirit that the family wishes everyone who knew

him to smile when they think of him, rather than endure sadness,

and to celebrate his life, rather than mourn it. Larry wouldn’t have

wanted it any other way.

Larry is survived by his loving wife and very best friend, Sue, as

they shared 32 years of great adventures and many joys. He is also

survived by his children Tom Hunter, Ellen Mai (Evan), Wendy

Ruffner and Eric Werner. His grandchildren Carson and Marley Mai

and Skylar and Piper Ruffner will miss their “Boppa.” Larry is also

survived by his sisters Val Werner and Terry Broyles (Jim), brother Pat

Werner (Libby), brothers and sisters-in-law Bill and Lisa Couey and

Bill and Debbie Amerongen, and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Church on Monday, December 8 at 10:00 A.M. at 1441 West Balboa

Boulevard, Balboa, California.

The family wishes that, in lieu of flowers, friends please consider

donations to:

Boys and Girls Club of the Harbor Area

2131 Tustin Avenue, Costa Mesa, CA 92627

Hoag Cancer Center/Circle 1000

One Hoag Drive, PO Box 6100

Newport Beach, CA 92658-6100