Larry Clark DeSpain

Larry passed away on August 1, 2021, peacefully at his home in San Francisco following a nine-year battle with a gastrointestinal tumor. He was predeceased by his parents Alma DeSpain and Robert DeSpain, and brother Allen DeSpain. He was born in Huntington Park, CA, November 29,1939, growing up in Norwalk and Downey and graduating from Downey Union High School. Larry graduated from UC Santa Barbara in 1963 with a BA in History. While in Santa Barbara, Larry also satisfied his military obligation by joining the California Army National Guard, achieving the rank of sergeant with the HQ & HQ Battery, 1st BN, 141th Field Artillery.

After a move to Seattle in the late 60’s, Larry was hired into the real estate department of Fotomat Corporation. He helped drive the early expansion program for Fotomat and opened many new markets and stores for them. He finally settled in San Francisco with his first wife Faye in 1974. His work with Fotomat led to a rewarding 45-year career working for several expanding national retailers. Larry’s most notable effort was a 19-year run with Blockbuster Video, where in 1989 he was responsible for bringing the first “New Release Wall” to California, with hundreds to follow in the west.

Larry loved Cal sports, the St. Louis Cardinals, history, geography, politics, SF streetcars and was the world’s biggest train buff. He was a true renaissance man.

Larry found time to be involved with both the CYO and PAL youth baseball programs in the City. Once retired, he volunteered in his daughter-in-law’s elementary classroom for six years, especially enjoying the last three years teaching third grade social studies.

Larry was a committed Anglophile; he and Phyllis took numerous trips to the UK. One of many high points was walking 54 miles of Hadrian’s Wall and touring the D-Day beaches in Normandy in 2011.

Larry will be deeply missed. He is survived by his wife of 38 years Phyllis, sons Kevin and Kent (Dawnell), and grandsons Hudson and Maxwell and numerous cousins in Missouri.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of The Sutter Care at Home hospice group for the caring comfort they gave Larry and his family.

There will be a memorial service with a reception following at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 1111 O’Farrell St., San Francisco, on Sunday August 22, 2021 at 2:00PM.

In lieu of flowers the family would ask that you consider donations in Larry’s name to: UCSB Alumni Association, Class of 1963 Scholarship Fund, Santa Barbara, CA 93106

Cal Baseball Foundation, 1777 Botelho Dr., Ste. 350, Walnut Creek, CA 94596; or to the charity of your choice.