Lawrence Woodrow Rhody |
| Posted 2016-09-26 by Pat R |
| Daily News-Miner (Fairbanks, Alaska) Wednesday, March 23, 2016 Larry Rhody, 68, a veteran broadcaster whose melodious radio voice was familiar to at least four generations of Fairbanksans, passed away March 19, 2016 at home after a long battle with cancer. Larry was born in Wickenburg, Arizona, July 2, 1947, and grew up in Arizona, Trinidad and Fairbanks. He served in the Alaska National Guard. In Trinidad, Larry learned to play the guitar and became an accomplished musician at an early age. He also developed a love for the ocean, a love that followed him for the rest of his life. After returning briefly to Wickenburg, Larry and his family moved to Fairbanks where Larry graduated from Lathrop High School while starting a career in broadcasting, working for KFAR radio-TV and hosting a live rock 'n' roll broadcast from the roof of the Tik Tok Drive-in during the summer, complete with "go-go" dancers. At KFAR, Larry became the voice of the Alaska Goldpanners as well as the Yukon 800 riverboat race and the North American Open Championship sled dog race, broadcasting from numerous remote locations and making many friends along the way. Larry never met a stranger. His friends and acquaintances appreciated his quick wit and wonderful sense of humor. His laughter was infectious. Larry took a break from broadcasting to work as a Teamster during construction of the trans-Alaska pipeline in the mid-1970s, and met his wife, Suzanne. As the pipeline construction waned, Larry fulfilled a dream when he bought and operated a cocktail lounge near the ocean in San Diego. Later, he and Suzanne returned to Fairbanks where, after managing the McCaw cable TV operation, Larry returned to his broadcasting roots. At the time of his death, he was working for KTVF where he was the voice of countless commercials and promotions. Larry was an avid Mariner and San Diego charger fan, watching every game through thick and thin. He also loved visiting the family cabin at Harding Lake and never tired of cruising around the lake in his boat. Larry is survived by his wife, Suzanne, to whom he was married 36 years; sons Tyson (and his wife Rebecca) and Christian; daughter Alexandra, and his beloved grandson, Loch, along with his mother, Melba Guin; two sisters, Diana Krambeck and Katy Mackin, and extended family. Larry will be missed by countless friends whose lives he touched. A memorial of Larry's life will be celebrated at 4 p.m. Sunday, March 27, at Bobby's Downtown Restaurant. See Also: Find A Grave |
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