Francis Lawrence ‘Larry’ Hayter, affectionately known as ‘Doc’ and, to his grandchildren, ‘Papa,’ passed away at his home in Pleasant Hill, Oregon, on September 28, 2026, at the age of 82, surrounded by loved ones.
Larry was born October 3, 1943, in La Grande, Oregon, to George Hayter and Leatha Buckner. Larry attended Days Creek High School, while Sherrie attended Yoncalla High School. The two met while they were in high school and were married on September 1, 1963, at Tri City Baptist Church in Myrtle Creek, Oregon.
Together they built a life centered around their family and their home and property in Pleasant Hill—a place known to family and friends as ‘Hayterville,’ with a sign out front proudly reading, ‘Hayterville, Population 6.’ They shared 51 years of marriage before Sherrie’s passing in December 2014.
Larry spent his career as a machinist and pressman with the Eugene Register-Guard. He began as an apprentice and worked his way up to journeyman, was a proud union member, and remained with the newspaper until his retirement in 2004.
He also gave his time to his community as a volunteer firefighter with the Pleasant Hill Volunteer Fire Department. Over the years, Larry took on increasing responsibility within the department, eventually serving as Assistant Fire Chief before retiring from the department.
In his younger years, Larry enjoyed hunting and fishing. One of his more memorable projects began when he and three friends built four beautiful wooden riverboats—one for each of them. Larry enjoyed taking family and friends out on the Willamette and Siuslaw Rivers, creating memories that would remain long after the boats returned to shore.
Family was a source of great pride for Larry. When he retired, he celebrated by treating his children and grandchildren to a family trip to Disneyland, something he was especially proud to be able to do.
Larry and Sherrie also loved welcoming people to Hayterville. For several summers, their Oyster Feed brought friends from around Oregon to the family property. The men would gather around the barbecues cooking oysters and telling stories while family and friends enjoyed being together. Those gatherings became part of the many memories created at the home Larry and Sherrie loved so much.
Larry appreciated life’s familiar comforts: a warm fire in the fireplace, a good home-cooked meal, and, especially, steak and lobster. He could be stubborn, and he wasn’t necessarily a man of many words. But there were words his family could always count on hearing. No matter the conversation, Larry ended his phone calls with, ‘I love you.’
Larry is survived by his four children, Kamala Putnam and her husband, Jeff; Kary Heller; Jason Hayter; and Kalen Hayter.
He was Papa to his grandchildren, Landon Franklin and her husband, Garrett; Rhyland Hayter and his wife, Sarah; Jae Heller; Jarrett Putnam and Katelyn; Braedon Putnam and Madelyne; Natalee McKee and her husband, Cody; Gabrielle Heller; and Trey Putnam; and to his great-grandchildren, Grayson, Waylon, Rowan, Tenley, Riggs, Boone, and Blaire.
He is also survived by his brother, Glenn, ‘Skeeter’ Hayter, who gave Larry the lifelong nickname ‘Doc’; his half-brother, Lynn Hayter; and his sister, Dianne Moore, and her husband, James, a man Larry greatly respected. He also leaves behind his nephew, Mitchell Hayter, and his cousins, Cresta Mae and Janet of La Grande, Oregon, along with extended family and friends who were part of his life.
Larry was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Sherrie; his parents, George Hayter and Leatha Buckner; and his in-laws, George and Shirley Roberts.
Larry and Sherrie both shared the wish that they would be able to spend their final days at the Pleasant Hill property they loved and called home. Both were able to do just that, with family by their side.
The Hayter family extends its heartfelt appreciation to Sacred Heart Hospice for the compassionate care and support provided to Larry and his family during his final days.
Larry leaves behind the home he loved and a family who loved him, and generations who knew him simply and affectionately as Papa. The sign out front still reads ‘Hayterville, Population 6,’ a reminder of where Larry and Sherrie began the family life that grew far beyond those original six.
Though he wasn’t a man of many words, his family will always remember the words with which he never failed to leave them:
‘I love you.’
A celebration of Larry’s life will be held at Hayterville [84626 Hilltop Dr, Pleasant Hill] on Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 1:00–6:00 p.m. Family and friends are welcome to drop in, share memories, and spend time together as we remember and celebrate Larry.
Food and non-alcoholic drinks will be provided.
Posted online on October 11, 2026
Published in The Register-Guard