Larry Walden Bybee

Larry Walden Bybee, 70, passed away on November 14, 2023.  Born in Nampa, Idaho, on October 4, 1953, he was the third-born child of Dale and Marlene Schmidt Bybee. Dale’s career as a railroad dispatcher took the family to several cities during Larry’s childhood; from Nampa to Pocatello, Spokane, Portland, and to Omaha, Nebraska, where he graduated from Burke High School in 1971.

Larry made friends along the way, including in Portland, where he met Julie Dix, his high school sweetheart and future wife. They attended Oregon State and Brigham Young Universities and married on June 13, 1973. Larry graduated from Creighton University Dental School in 1978 and returned to Pocatello to practice dentistry. The couple had seven children during their 22-year marriage, which ended tragically when Julie and their youngest son, Tyler, died in an auto/train accident in1995.

Larry married Pennie Lish, on December 21, 2013. They enjoyed working together at the dental office, going to concerts, building a farm and spending time with their kids and grandkids.

Larry loved sports, and played basketball, football, and baseball in his youth. He coached and attended his children's games and enjoyed cheering on his grandchildren from the sidelines. Other passions included fishing, taking care of others, honoring the American flag and what it stands for, listening to Jordan Peterson podcasts, and caring for his chickens. He also loved making pizza, so much so that he owned Mama’s Pizza, 9 restaurants in Idaho and Utah.

Larry’s dental career spanned over 40 years, practicing first with his brother, Darryl Bybee, he then moved to Pocatello Dental Group with Dr. Russ Misner, and then with his son, Trevor until his recent retirement. In the latter years of his career, he practiced Biological Dentistry, treating the whole body where teeth were concerned.

Larry is survived by his wife Pennie and six children: Shannon (Chris) Bybee- Driscoll, Andy Bybee, Kirstin Bybee, Robbie (Morgen) Bybee, Rebecca (Jesse) Garner, and Trevor (Angie) Bybee. He is also survived by a brother, Darryl (Vicki) Bybee, a sister, Marlana Hillary; two step sons Rusty (Ashlee) Lish , Sage (Shaylee) Lish and 16 grandchildren.

A celebration of Larry’s life will take place at 4 p.m. Saturday, November 25 at Purpose Center 224 N Union Pacific Avenue, Pocatello, Idaho under the direction of Wilks Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating towards the construction of a memorial bench in Larry’s honor. Donations can be made by calling Wilks Funeral Home, 208-238-8000, or mailing a check to Wilks Funeral Home ℅ Larry Bybee at 211 W Chubbuck Rd, Chubbuck, ID 83202.

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