Larry LeRoy McKellips went to be with his heavenly father on September, 15, 2021. He was born in Eads, CO on May 10, 1946 to Norvin (Mac) and Betty McKellips of Cheyenne Wells, CO. He was baptized at the Methodist Church in Cheyenne Wells around 1950. Larry’s parents purchased the Deer Trail Mercantile, one of two small grocery stores in that town, and moved he and his sister, Carrie, there from Cheyenne Wells when Larry was around four years old.

He was a faithful member of the Friends Church in Deer Trail, and was in both their Junior and Senior Choirs while growing up. During Larry’s childhood he was lucky to enjoy many friends and family, living through “the good ole’ days”! He attended the Deer Trail school for all 12 grades, graduating in 1964. Larry was also an active member of DeMolay, a youth organization for young men between 12 and 21, that develops leadership skills and good moral character.

Somewhere around third grade, he and Carrie began helping in the family grocery store, stocking and dusting the products on the shelves. They were also in charge of sacking potatoes, which could occasionally be a pretty stinky job when they reached in the big gunny sack and hit a rotten one. The family was very close working together, although there were times when Larry would rather have been playing baseball. A very big highlight each year was the week long family vacation that Mac & Betty would plan at the end of summer, just before school started. These vacations were always someplace in the mountains and were very fun and exciting for the whole family. Larry always had a special love for and connection to the mountains as a result of these good family times!

In his high school years Larry developed a love for horses, resulting in he and his Dad purchasing a couple. A highlight for Larry was when he showed one of his horses at the National Western Stock Show in Denver, taking 2nd place out of a class of 30. Later, Larry had an Appaloosa he named Double Tree Joe because of the beautiful black tree-like markings on each side of his white body. At a horse show competition, Larry won Grand Champion with him.

After graduating high school in 1964, Larry attended college in Lamar, CO, for a short time. He then transferred to Colorado State University in Ft. Collins, where he was studying to become a Veterinarian. There may have been a day or two when beer and fishing took precedence over classes. On the advice of his college advisor, Larry enlisted into the US Army in August of 1967, and served in the Vietnam War until his honorable discharge in January of 1969. Although he returned home, the war had a lasting effect on Larry for the rest of his life. Even through all of this, he was very proud to have served his country.

Larry’s love for horses remained in his heart, and he began training racehorses upon his return. He trained at the following well-known racetracks: Los Alamitos and Del Mar in California, Ruidoso Downs in New Mexico, a track in New York, and others. While at Los Alamitos he trained alongside the now famous trainer Bob Baffert. After he left horse training, he enjoyed following and watching horse racing, knowing about the owners and trainers, jockeys, etc. right up to his passing.

After his training days, Larry held a number of jobs including working for a large construction company, OEA, Hugh M Woods, and finished his working career as a toll-gate operator on C-470. He was also his mother’s caregiver for the last several years of her life. During this time they enjoyed travelling in their motor home to Lake McConaughy, Gunnison, and other lakes where Larry could enjoy one of his other passions, fishing, and the Bayliner boat that was his pride-and-joy. They were always accompanied by their little poodle, Bridget, who he dearly loved, and Carrie was along for these adventures as well. His motto was, “being in the boat out on the lake was the greatest…catching a fish was a bonus”.

A bucket list trip Larry took was to Alaska during the summer Carrie and Ed lived there. Highlights included catching a 58 pound king salmon on the Kenai River, and a 166 pound halibut out of Homer, making his catch the biggest on the boat that day. After that trip he always dreamed of living in Alaska.

Hunting was another activity Larry enjoyed, especially around the Gunnison area. A particular highlight was when he shot his big bull elk (while snacking on pink M&M’s). He was also a big sports fan and got his Mom interested in them too, making it fun for both of them. They especially loved the Denver Broncos, Denver Nuggets and Colorado Rockies.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Mac and Betty McKellips, his two brothers-in-law, Les Thorn and Ed Pagel, and his beloved friend Mary Dahmer. He is survived by his sister, Carrie Thorn, his nephews Darin (Denise) Thorn, Devin (Alisha) Thorn, niece Dana (Troy) Allen, numerous great-nephews and nieces, and many loved cousins and friends. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him, and will be remembered with a big smile on his face (and the dimples his sister was always envious of), and his deep hearty laugh. Heaven has gained a most loving and kind soul.

Memorial gifts in Larry’s honor can be made payable to Carrie Thorn, which will be given to the Disabled American Veterans foundation. The family requests no flowers or plants be donated at this time.

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