May 13, 1952 — April 5th, 2024
Lawrence “Larry” Richard Allen died peacefully at his home on April 5th, 2024, at the age of 71. He leaves behind his loving wife Sherrie, 2 daughters, 2 sons, 2 sons-in-law, 2 daughters-in-law, 3 grandsons, and 2 granddaughters. He was a proud and caring father and considered his partners and children’s close friends family as well. Additionally, he treasured many close friendships throughout his life.
Larry was born in Portland, Oregon, on May 13th, 1952, to Madonna (Walsh) Allen and Irving Courtney Allen. He grew up in Burns, Oregon, with his parents and sister Audrey. After graduating from Burns Union High School in 1970, he attended Treasure Valley Community College and then transferred to Willamette University where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science in 1974. From 1976-1980, he followed in his father’s footsteps by attending law school. He graduated from John F Kennedy School of Law and passed the Bar Exam while living in California’s Bay Area.
In 1984, Larry moved to Redding, California where he continued his work as an attorney. Between 1980-1986, he worked for employee labor unions, handled medical malpractice, personal injury and real estate.
In 1987, Larry started working for the Shasta County Attorney’s Office in Redding. He rose to become a senior deputy district attorney supervising other lawyers.
Between 1991 and 2002, Larry worked as a Deputy District Attorney for the circuit program with the California District Attorney’s Association, prosecuting environmental crime in 14 counties, including the first case in the nation to use DNA in a poaching trial. He loved traveling to rural areas, truly appreciating the cultures and natural environment, and adventuring by taking all of the back roads in his rental cars. During this time, he was also an instructor for the California Department of Fish and Game and Napa Valley College Resource Protection Academy.
Larry was elected District Attorney of Sierra County in the primary election on June 4th, 2002, being sworn in on January 6th, 2003. He was subsequently re-elected in 2006, 2010, and 2014. He has the distinction of being Sierra County’s longest-serving District Attorney since the county’s creation in 1852 and served an unprecedented four terms, serving Sierra County for 16 years as the county’s chief law officer. In 2018, Larry announced his intention to not run for re-election but to retire in January 2019.
During his time as District Attorney and after he “retired,” Larry served on the Planning Commission Board and as President of the Western Sierra Medical Clinic for many years, President of the Pliocene Ridge Community Services District, served on the Californians Turn in Poachers and Polluter (CALTIP) Board. In Sierra County he was a member of the Rotary (serving 2 terms as president in Loyalton and was president elect for the Grass Valley Rotary club for 2024). He was also a member of the Lions Club and the Clampers in Sierra County. In Redding, he was a member of the Moose Lodge and an avid mountain biker and sailor. In his youth, he was a boy scout and a marksman.
Larry was known by many as “Moe” and truly loved serving the people (and animals) of California and Sierra County. Despite “retiring” in 2019, he kept busy volunteering for his community in many capacities, traveling to see concerts of bands he loved, including Paul McCartney and many independent artists, and also to see his children. Family and close friends all enjoyed meeting for an annual Thanksgiving trip to Newport, Oregon. Larry was always up for having a party and making memories with those he loved so much. True to his Irish heritage, he loved to tell stories, dance, and sing together, even if he didn’t know all the words. His passionate spirit, thoughtful integrity, dedication to his community and love for adventure will continue to inspire all who knew him.
A private service will be held by the family at a later date. If you wish to make a donation, please donate to the non-profit Western Sierra Medical Clinic (https://wsmcmed.org/donate/), the Rotary Club of Grass Valley (PO Box 1213 Grass Valley, CA, 95949), or California Fish and Wildlife for K9 officers training and lifetime maintenance (https://calwof.org/), or any outdoor youth enhancement programs for environmental safety and education, all of which Larry was passionate about.