There was an obituary in last week’s edition that probably didn’t mean much to many of you.

Larry Ryerson was the gentleman’s name. He’s been gone from the community for some 35 years.

But during the six years he lived here, he built a legacy of being Fountain Hills original “mover and shaker.”

Larry opened Fountain Hills (Farmers) Insurance Agency in an office on Saguaro Boulevard just west of Panorama Drive in February 1973. Opening in that same office was the first real estate office, Fountain Realty & Investments, owned by Bob Farrow.

On the other side of the wall in the adjacent unit was Fountain Hills LP Gas, owned by Martin Dawson. They were among the first businesses to open in the community.

As the business community began to grow, Larry and a few other enterprising residents and store owners began meeting for breakfast in early 1974 at a restaurant called Little John’s to discuss common business concerns.

Larry is considered the founder of the Chamber and served as the first president.

In addition, he published the first “newspaper” called ”Free Notes.” It was an 8½ by 11” format accumulation of short items of interest happening in the community.

The Times continued “Free Notes” as a regular column for a period of time after it began publication.

Larry also compiled and printed the first phone book along with Jack Gridley. They called the book “The Fountain Connection” and jokingly called it the “Ryley Dialy.”

Always looking for ways to promote Fountain Hills, he started an annual July 4th celebration that attracted thousands of Valley residents to Fountain Park to watch the fireworks display.

Larry also led a campaign to form a Fountain Hills fire district. The issue was defeated at the polls; however, he laid the groundwork for a later successful effort.

He left Fountain Hills after accepting a promotion with Farmers Insurance.

He was among the group of first inductees into the Lower Verde Valley Hall of Fame in 2004.

The last time I saw Larry was about five years ago. I had made contact with him when he was inducted into the hall of fame. He took me flying three times, twice around the lake country and over Fountain Hills and once up to Payson and back.

Larry had a passion about flying and was a member of a number of pilot organizations. He was also proud to be a member of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Air Posse.

He also became an active member of the Masonic Lodge and the Protective Order of Elks.

I understand he died of a heart attack while attending his high school reunion in Casper, Wyo.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Masonic Temple (Arizona Lodge No. 2), 345 W. Monroe St. in Phoenix.

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Speaking of reunions, the second annual softball alumni game will be played this Saturday, Oct. 19.

The game will reunite members of the original Fountain Hills Men’s Softball League that began in the 1980s.

About 30 men are expected to play in the two games that day at Golden Eagle Park starting at 10 a.m.

Bring out the Ben-Gay.