In Memory

Larry Doan - Class Of 1948

Larry Doan

Larry Doan  '48  much beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend, passed away Monday, July 12, 2004 in Pasadena.  Everyone who knew him will miss his wonderful sense of humor, his genuine caring for people, and his generous hospitality.  He never met a stranger and he always had a joke to tell.  Born December 23, 1929 in Hollywood, California, he attended Valentine, Huntington, and South Pasadena-San Marino Schools, graduating in 1948.  He and his twin brother Jim spent many happy years dominating their leagues in tennis and basketball.  It was at Huntington School in the 5th grade where he met, fell in love with and in 1951 married his wife and lifelong best friend, Dudley Harbison.  They were married for 53 years.

Larry graduated from UC Berkeley in 1952 where he played on the rugby team and worked his way through school.  He attended Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island and spent three years in the US Navy, including a 1-1/2 year tour of duty stationed with his family in Sasebo, Japan.  He and his wife Dudley settled in San Marino where they raised four children.  They created a home of love and laughter with the doors always open for friends and family.  He helped establish and served on the first Board of Directors of the San Marino Tennis Foundation at Lacy Park.  He spent countless hours on the San Marino Little League fields coaching his own sons and others.  When there was no football program for kids in San Marino, he helped develop the Jr. All American Football League.  His early career years were spent in the securities industry.  In 1973, he and Dudley teamed up in the residential real estate business and in 1979 opened Doan Harbison Realty, later to become Podley, Caughey, and Doan.  Known for his integrity and fairness, Larry served as President of the San Marino Board of Realtors and was their Realtor of the year in 1988.  He was still active with Coldwell Banker at the time of his death.

Larry was a member of and served on the Board of Directors at San Gabriel Country Club where he loved playing golf with his many friends.  He excelled in coaching, both Little League and life skills.  He enjoyed entertaining friends at his home, traveling, all types of dogs, playing cards and dominoes, and growing tomatoes.  He most loved being with and enjoying these things with his adored wife, Dudley.  He is survived by his wife Dudley, daughters Mary Frances Doan (Tim Hesselgren) and Terry Doan Shelton (Peter), sons Howard Harbison Doan (Colleen), and Larry Doan, Jr. (Sheila), nine grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and innumerable friends, all of whom he considered an extension of his family.