Larry Robert Inman

Larry Robert Inman, of Astoria, age 70, passed away peacefully Oct. 22, 2020, at home, after a year-long battle with glioblastoma.

Larry was born on May 4, 1950, the second child of Phillip C. and Vivian Ericksen Inman, and grew up on the family’s dairy farm in Bow, Washington. Larry attended school in Edison, and attended Burlington High School, where he graduated in 1968. He attended Skagit Valley Community College.

Larry grew up with a love for farming and animals. When he was just a ninth grader, he and his younger brother took over the operation of Island View Farm, the family’s dairy farm. Larry and his brother would milk the cows twice a day.

While attending school, he was very active in FFA, student government and athletics. Through FFA, Larry won much recognition and awards, becoming a state officer. He traveled extensively throughout the state, and to the national FFA convention. He went on to earn the American Farmer Degree, the highest level of achievement in FFA.

Although Larry loved his life on the family farm, he felt the calling to pursue his passion for agriculture and farming, and at the age of 25, began what would be a successful 42-year long career in the agricultural business industry. In 1978, along with five business partners, Ag-Bag Corp. was launched in Astoria.

Larry would go on to lead as the president, CEO and primary owner/shareholder, and continued to lead the company when it became Ag-Bag International, a public company, in 1991. Larry traveled extensively for over 25 years with Ag-Bag, throughout Europe, Asia and North and South America.

He was instrumental in introducing and developing the Ag-Bag technology into Germany, and in the forming of BAG-Budissa, which has continued to grow and expand throughout Europe for the past 25 years. Through the innovations Larry helped develop in the field of silage bagging technology, his name has been a part of over 56 U.S. patents.

In 1991, Larry was able to pursue farming again, while continuing to lead Ag-Bag International, purchasing Tucker Creek Ranch in Astoria. He married Debbie (Huckestein) Linder in 1994, and together with their son, Jeremy, they began raising and selling saler and red Angus beef cattle.

In 2005, Ag-Bag International was sold and relocated. Larry and Debbie started Ag-Bag Forage Solutions in Astoria, which he ran with his wife, Debbie, and son, Jeremy Linder.

Throughout his life, Larry continued to champion for children and for the love of farming and agriculture, becoming a huge supporter of the local 4-H and FFA programs, and lending his auctioneering skills to school and community fundraisers. Each year, during the Clatsop County Fair, Larry could be found lending a hand, encouraging and comforting fair participants; he was known for his enthusiastic encouragement and reassuring and amazing hugs.

Larry was a bright light and was a friend to many. He had a special gift for helping those around him dream, believe and understand that they could do anything they wanted to accomplish. Larry could always be found cheering on his grandchildren and their friends, always in the stands at each fair event and sporting event, and would never miss one — even if it meant pulling into the parking lot with a stock trailer, fresh from a service call, or from tending to the farm.

Larry never met a stranger, and was known to drop everything to come to the help of a friend or customer in need. He would generously give of his time, his expertise and his resources to anyone in need.

Even after his diagnosis, Larry continued to live life to the fullest and on his own terms. He worked on the farm, in his business and spent quality time with his wife, children and grandchildren up until the time of his passing.

He is survived by his wife, Debbie Inman, of Astoria; daughter, Melissa Linder-Cho (Hiram), son, Jeremy Linder (Kallie), and his grandchildren, Ryan Stenblom, Jameson Linder and Madalyn Linder, all of Astoria.

He is also survived by his sister, MaryLou Caudill, brother, Phil “Fritz” (Shelah) Inman, niece, Melissa Harris (Ryan), and nephew, Michael Inman (Christine), along with great-nieces, Kora, Kinzie, Ella and Haley, all who reside in Bow; his in-laws, Dick and Betty Huckestein, of Astoria; brothers-in-law, Jim Huckestein (Julie), Dan Huckestein and Jeff Huckestein (Lynda); sister-in-law, Carol Neal (Leo); and numerous nieces and nephews.

Larry was preceded in death by his mother, Vivian Inman, father, Phillip “Big Phil” Inman, and brother-in-law, Jim Caudill, all of Bow, Washington.

Larry was blessed by many friendships throughout this life and career, and will be especially missed by his Ag-Bag family across the country and across the world, including treasured friends Walter Jay and family from Hooper, Nebraska, and Udo Weber and family from Malschwitz, Germany.

Remembrance of Larry’s contribution and the honoring of his legacy can be best done by paying forward his positivity, encouragement and support to those around us, especially to our young people.

Memorial donations can be made in Larry’s name to: Astoria High School Scholarships Inc., Asoria High School FFA Alumni Group or to Lower Columbia Hospice.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a memorial will be held at a later time.