Laurence ("Larry") Howard Wahl, 69, passed away on the evening of February 15th in Laguna Niguel, CA.

Son of Sharon Belinda (neé Sedan) and Frederick Julian Wahl, Larry was born November 21, 1955 in Los Angeles, CA. He graduated Palisades High School in 1973, and went on to receive a B.A. in Zoology from U.C. Santa Barbara in 1977, and subsequently his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at U.C. Davis in 1982. He opened his private practice, Laguna Grove Veterinary Hospital, in 1987. As a highly respected member of the local and veterinary community, he proudly took care of Orange County's beloved pets for 35 years until his retirement in 2022.

In addition to his love of animals, nature, and the environment, he spent his free time traveling and exploring new tropical locales. He had a great passion for scuba diving - the underwater world was his second home. Larry also had a great love of music. He filled the house by playing of his beloved steel drum and ukeleles, or putting on some of his favorite artists - The Grateful Dead, James Taylor, and Jackson Browne, to name a few.

In addition to being a beloved husband and father, he was a great friend and teacher to many. He was vibrant, gregarious, equal parts stubborn and silly, and was always up for a friendly spirited debate. His wealth of knowledge was unparalleled, and he has undoubtedly shaped the education and careers of the younger veterinarians he worked with.

He is predeceased by his parents Sharon and Fred; his golden retrievers Topaz, Mango, and Bamboo; and his blue-and-gold macaw Cosmo, who was the mascot of both our family and Laguna Grove Veterinary Hospital for 45 years. He is survived by his wife Michelle and his children Taylor, Delaney, and Gabriel - all of whom carry on his musical and environmental passions, as well as his deep love of animals. He is also survived by his siblings Michael and Wendy, and his cousin Don. He is deeply missed not only by his friends and family, but his loving menagerie of pets. His spirit is now drifting peacefully on that island breeze he loved so much.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the ASPCA or the Ocean Conservancy