June 29, 1937 – October 8, 2022
Longtime Mercer Island resident Larry Mounger died peacefully on October 8, 2022 with his family by his side.
Larry was born on June 29th, 1937 in Seattle, Washington to Elma and Lowery Mounger Sr. He had two sisters, Judi and Melissa, as well as a brother, Glenn. A talented athlete and dedicated student, Larry attended Queen Anne High School in Seattle and later attended the University of Washington on a full ride tennis scholarship where he played the number 1 position on the team and went undefeated in Northern Division competition. On top of being a student athlete, he thrived academically and socially at UW. He pledged Phi Gamma Delta fraternity while being an academic honorary member of Phi Beta Kappa.
During his time at the University of Washington, Larry joined The Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (ROTC). Larry graduated college in 1959 and served for the Army in Fort Eustis Virginia as a 2nd Lieutenant.
In 1960, Larry enrolled at the University of Washington Law School. Although Larry earned his Juris Doctor from UW, he was destined for the entrepreneurial world. His father had started Pacific Trail, a successful outdoor apparel company. In 1972, when Lowery Sr. was experiencing health complications, Larry assumed the role of president for the company. Over the next two decades, Larry and his brother Glenn helped Pacific Trail reach new heights, becoming a nationally recognized sportswear brand. In 1992, the family sold the company. Pacific Trail is still in existence today as part of the Columbia Sportwear family of brands.
In addition to tennis, Larry also loved to play golf. A fierce competitor with higher expectations than skill, Larry was known for calling himself absurd names on the golf course. When he would stumble into a par, he would proudly announce himself as “Mr. Par” to his foursome. If he somehow managed to get up and down for par from the sand, he would introduce himself as “First name Sandy, last name Par.” These pars were often aided by generous “gimmes” that laid within his vast “Circle of Friends.”
Larry’s legacy also carries on in his admiration for Seattle Sports. Throughout adulthood, Larry would take his kids and grandkids to watch the Mariners play baseball, the Seahawks play football, and the Washington Huskies play hoops and football. We are thrilled that Larry got to witness the Mariner’s make the playoffs for the first time in 21 years!
All who knew Larry will remember his sense of humor fondly. A “volume comedian,” he had countless running gags that endearingly ranged from moderately entertaining to downright hilarious.
Even more so, Larry will be remembered for countless other qualities. His faith in God was strong and continued to grow as time wore on. He was active in his Teleios, Life Group and Thunderbird Country Club bible studies. His business acumen and tireless determination remain an inspiration to those that were close to him. He especially loved his Roundtable Business Group that met every Friday morning. He was passionate about giving back to the community and was involved in many charitable organizations over the years and proudly served as an Advisory Board Member for The Salvation Army. He was extremely proud of his family and never missed an opportunity to tell his wife, children, or grandchildren that he loved them. He and his wife, Judie, provided a picture-perfect image of a successful marriage that his descendants will always be able to cherish.
Larry is survived by his wife of 60 years Judie Mounger; his siblings, Judi Jacobson (Conrad), Melissa Nielsen (Don) and Glenn Mounger (MaryLynn); their children, Mindy Blakeslee (Chris) and Mitch Mounger (Wendy); and grandchildren, Luke Mounger (Bekah), Jamie Thacker (Ben), Jessica Blakeslee, Josie Blakeslee, and Macy Mounger.
The family will be hosting a Celebration of Life service in December. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Larry’s honor to UW Athletics Boundless Futures, Young Life and The Salvation Army.
