Larry McNutt, Ricon sales manager of its commercial products division, died Friday, Oct. 5. He was 69 years old.

Well-known and well-liked throughout the industry for his friendly and personable nature, McNutt joined Ricon in 1996 as a sales representative and served in a variety of managerial and sales capacities including head of the Acti-Van Division, director of customer support, and most recently as west region sales manager.

McNutt was an ardent advocate of vehicle accessibility for physically challenged passengers and students. He was active in school bus associations nationwide, including California Association of School Transportation Officials and the National Association of Pupil Transport, as well as paratransit associations including California Association for Coordinated Transportation and Community Transportation Association of America. He contributed to numerous articles in School Bus Fleet, Metro, and Mass Transit magazines.

A popular presence at state, regional, and national industry trade shows, McNutt began his transportation industry career in 1972 as an assembler for school bus builder Wayne Corp. He also served Paramount Equipment Sales in Sylmar, Calif., as VP of sales.

A native of Richmond, Ind., McNutt is survived by his spouse Marie, Scott McNutt (Christie), Tracey McNutt Miller (Jeff), Cameron Serra, Chelsea Serra Johnson (Jeremy) and grandchildren Kailey, Taylor, Tyler, Finnley, Wyatt and Cole Ellora, Eli, Emma and Emmett. He resided in Valencia, Calif., a suburb of Los Angeles. A Celebration of Life service is planned for January.