Obituary of Lawrence Howard Chetwood

Lawrence "Larry" Howard Chetwood, 83, of Boise, Idaho, peacefully passed away on July 12, 2023 after battling cancer for two years.

Larry was born on November 10, 1939, in Kansas City, Missouri, the only child of Kenneth and Lois Chetwood. He graduated from Grandview High School in 1956 and went on to attend Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri. During his time at Westminster, Larry proudly joined the Sigma Chi Fraternity and completed the ROTC program, graduating in 1961 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business.

Following his undergraduate studies, Larry served in the Army as a First Lieutenant in the Military Police, serving as an Aide to General Edward Penaat and stationed in Fort Gordon, Georgia. After his military service, he pursued and earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Missouri at Columbia, where he met his beloved wife, Shirley Jean Semple, of Moberly, Missouri. Larry and Shirley exchanged vows in Moberly in 1966, embarking on a loving marriage that spanned 57 years.

Larry's career in the auto industry began with a position in the Sales and Marketing Department at Ford Motor Company. He was transferred to the Salt Lake City region where he called upon Ford dealers in Utah, Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. Larry and Shirley welcomed their first two children, Christin Ann in 1969 and Holly Jean in 1970.

In 1975, Larry transitioned to the retail side of the industry and became the General Manager of H.O. Bell Ford in Missoula, Montana. During their time in Montana, Larry and Shirley formed enduring friendships. In 1976, they welcomed their third child, Patrick Semple.

In 1979, Larry seized an opportunity to purchase Gibson-Welker Ford in Meridian, Idaho, marking the beginning of his extensive career as a dealer at Meridian Ford. He actively engaged with the civic and business communities in Meridian, becoming a founding member of the Meridian Rotary Club and the Meridian Education Foundation. Larry also served as a board member for the Meridian and Boise Chambers of Commerce. His devotion extended to the Meridian United Methodist Church, where he frequently served as a greeter and usher.

Throughout his career as an auto dealer, Larry's ventures included ownership of Boise Lincoln-Mercury, Paradise Ford in Moscow, and University Motors Honda, Cadillac, Pontiac and Isuzu in Missoula , Montana. He was a member of the National Idaho Auto Dealer Association and was chosen to serve on the Dealer Council for Ford. Larry appreciated his employees, and they reciprocated that sentiment. He retired from the auto industry in 2012 when he sold Meridian Ford to the Kendall Automotive Group.

Sports held a special place in Larry's heart. A dedicated Kansas City Chiefs fan, he actively supported college basketball and football in every community he resided in. Larry held season tickets for the University of Utah, University of Montana, and Boise State University basketball and football games, earning him lifetime membership at the Boise State Pavilion.

Tennis and golf were Larry's passions. He exhibited formidable skills as a 4.0 player at the Boise Racquet and Swim Club and enjoyed golfing at Hillcrest Country Club and Terravita Golf Club, their winter retreat in Scottsdale, Arizona. As the loudest cheerleader on the sidelines, Larry regularly attended his grandchildren's numerous sporting events at Bishop Kelly High School.

Larry is survived by his cherished wife, Shirley, and their children: Christin Steele and her husband James Steele, Jr.; Holly Chetwood and her husband David Miller; and Patrick Chetwood. He also leaves behind his beloved grandchildren, Madeline Ann Quates and her husband Caleb Quates, Samuel Steele, Hannah Heaton, Harrison Tomlin, Vivian Chetwood, and Scarlet Chetwood.

Services honoring Larry's life will be held at the Meridian United Methodist Church on Friday, July 28, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to be made to the Boys & Girls Club of Ada County, 610 E. 42^nd St. Garden City, ID 83714 which will be used to provide youth memberships.