Larry (don’t you dare call him Lawrence) M. Whitten, 79, of Spring Hill, Fla. and Sebago, responded to his last call on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. 

Larry was born in Portland on August 29, 1942, to Kenneth and Avis (Hunnewell) Whitten. Larry attended school in South Portland and then attended and taught at numerous fire colleges. 

Larry met his beautiful wife, Carole (Burnell), on a blind date. They went to the drive-in that night and fell in love at first kiss! Eventually after five long years of waiting, Larry proposed to Carole on Christmas Day 1973. This was, however, after hunting through all the gift wrap as Carole had thrown out the ring! Larry, always a prankster, had hidden the little ring box in a large box filled with various heavy objects including leftover scrap wood and such. Carole had assumed the “big gift” was him joking around. They married immediately on Jan. 25, 1974, Carole was done waiting and did not want to lose this man. Eventually, they made their own family, having three children — Lori, Larry and Lisa. 

Larry was a husband, a dad, and a grandpa. However, even with all of those titles the one that stands out the most is the legendary firefighter. Men wanted to be him, ladies just adored him. Larry’s highest priority was family! So even as a firefighter, who eventually became a chief and fire marshal, Larry’s most important advice to every firefighter he mentored was the concept of camaraderie. Every member of the fire service from dispatchers to administration was a part of Larry’s family. 

Larry was always happiest spending time with his wife Carole, his children, Lori, Larry, and Lisa, and their families including all ten of his grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Larry’s family, like all families, was not perfect. Obviously, his immediate family was perfect, they were a part of him! But that fire department family, ugh! Larry was constantly having to keep them in line. He had to deal with hose hogs, nozzle jockeys, ladder monkeys, probies and buck wheats, but he always had a kernel of wisdom to share or a compassionate shoulder to lean on.

Larry also shared a brotherhood with law enforcement. In his younger years alongside his fire career, he was a city police officer, a deputy sheriff, and ended his career as a fire marshal. While Larry’s last call returned him to a station house filled with former firefighter friends and family, he lives on in each of us. We have no doubt there is a fire department reunion going on in the heavens that pales to any earthly fire department party, and that Larry’s parents Deputy Chief Ken and mom Avis have had the party planned for a while. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Pasco County Benevolent Association, as Larry would want to continue supporting his fire department community.