Larry Kay Rasmussen, age 83, of Gilbert, AZ passed away peacefully on Sun., October 14th, 2018. He was the son of Leslie and Noma Rasmussen of Montpelier, Idaho. He graduated from Montpelier High School and then received a B.S. in Biology from Creighton University and a Masters in Administrative Science from the Naval Post Graduate School. He married his high school sweetheart and best friend, LaRae Nate, and lived in 10 states from Hawaii to Florida Keys to DC to AZ over 26 years of serving our country in the US Navy. He became a Naval Aviator and flew patrol missions in Cuba, Okinawa and Vietnam. While in Key West, FL he evaluated the Navy’s Polaris and Poseidon Missile Programs. He deployed aboard the USS Newport News, USS Enterprise, USS Albany and USS Mount Whitney serving as the Fleet Anti Submarine Warfare Officer. He was then stationed in Washington D.C. at the Pentagon as an Operations Officer for the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Moving away from the sea, he became the Professor of Naval Science at the NROTC Unit at University of Louisville, KY. Final orders brought him to Williams Air Force Base, Mesa, AZ, to become the Naval Liaison Officer for flight training and research. Larry retired as a US Navy Commander in Feb. 1983 and settled in the Dobson Ranch Community. He had a successful real estate career as a Broker with Century 21 until 1997. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, bowling, going to the casino and spending time with Grandson David and Granddaughter Halie LaRae. His wife, LaRae, was the stabilizing force throughout this wonderful but often trying odyssey until her death in 2005. He reunited with his other high school sweetheart, DeLone Dayton-Wood and the adventure continued until his passing. He is survived by his loving children Jeff (Debora) Rasmussen, Christine Rasmussen, Wendy (George) Rocco and grandchildren David, Halie & George Jr. Special appreciation goes to the Generations at Agritopia Community for special friendships and taking care of our Dad! In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Scholarship Fund of the Military Officers Assoc. of America (MOAA), American Cancer Society or American Parkinson’s Disease Assoc. Visitation will be held Thurs., Oct 18th 6-8pm at Lakeshore Mortuary, 1815 S. Dobson Rd., Mesa. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Fri., Oct 19th 10:00am at St. Timothy’s Catholic Church, 1730 W. Guadalupe Rd., Mesa. Interment to be at Green Acres Cemetery, 401 N. Hayden Rd., Scottsdale. Anchor’s Away Reception will be Fri., Oct 19th 2-3:00pm, at LivGenerations at Agritopia, 2811 E. Agritopia Loop S., Gilbert.