Larry Wrathall
Obituary
Larry Wrathall passed away peacefully in his home on April 15, 2024. Larry was born to Grant and Fay Wrathall on February 7, 1945 in Washington DC. He moved to Aptos at age two, and graduated from Watsonville High, Brigham Young University, and served as a Latter-day Saint Missionary in Argentina. He pursued his masters degree at the University of Texas in Austin, where he met his loving wife Nayereh. After Larry graduated UT Austin and Monterey's Defense Language Institute, he and Nayereh settled down in Aptos, where they raised two children and enjoyed their grandchildren.
Larry was passionate about all things radio. After obtaining his Radio Operator's License in 1961, he worked as an early morning announcer for KSAY (now KIQI - 1010 AM). Interest in owning a radio station in his home-town was piqued. In November of 1977, Larry, his father Grant Sr. and his brother Grant Jr. set up all the systems for the Aptos-Capitola radio station KKAP - 1540 AM; and went live. From 1987 onwards, Larry continued to engineer radio frequencies and build antenna sites for radio stations. He co-engineered the development of a Salinas AM radio station antenna site that is currently co-used by three directional AM radio stations, the only one of its kind in the Western part of the United States. The current stations are: KYAA -1200 Relevant Radio, KRXA- El Sembrador Ministries and KTGE - 1570 Joya Radio. He was overjoyed to bring Relevant Radio to his area, a Catholic radio station with the mission to bring Christ to the world.
Larry, with his keen wit, breadth of knowledge and adoration for his friends and family will be profoundly missed. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Nayereh, his two children and in-laws, Reza & Cheryl Wrathall and Todd & Maryam Westfall, as well as his brother Grant Wrathall, sister Charlotte Peay, and his 5 grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his sister Loretta Pollock. Services will be Friday, May 3, 2024, at 9:00 AM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Watsonville, followed by interment at Pajaro Valley Memorial Park.
Published in The Pajaronian · April 29, 2024