Lawrence A. Soffa

Lawrence Andrew "Wap" Soffa

Larry went to be with his Lord on November 6, 2012. He was born to George Soffa, Sr. and Loretta Hewitt on September 21, 1934 in Pueblo, Colorado. He was the youngest of three siblings; he had an older brother George, Jr. and older sister Mary, both of whom preceded him in death.

Larry graduated from Centennial High School and attended Southern Colorado State College in Pueblo, Colorado. He enjoyed playing the trumpet in school bands during his high school and college years and also performed at special functions.

Larry married Barbara Miller of Pueblo, Colorado shortly after graduating from high school and then served in the United States Marine Corps from 1954 until 1958. Two children were born to them during his enlistment with four others following soon after. They were married twenty-two years.

After leaving the Marine Corps, Larry worked in the meat packing industry in Pueblo and Denver. He and Barbara began caring for foster children and eventually opened a residential child care facility (RCCF) for special-needs children. The family moved to Lakewood, Colorado in 1969.

Larry met Sandra Powell at an Easter Seals Camp in August, 1976 and they married on January 27, 1979. They continued to operate their RCCF in Lakewood until their retirement in 1994.

Larry and Sandy purchased a property outside Buffalo Creek, Colorado in 1985 and they continued to enjoy their mountain home as a weekend retreat until retiring there in 1994. Larry and Sandy loved working on their property, and the years have seen lots of changes and improvements including additions to the two residences and the construction of a large shed to house their tractors. In addition to these "labors of love," they enjoyed hunting, camping and horseback riding in their earlier years, as well as football, crossword puzzles, polka dancing and painting.

Larry is survived by his wife of thirty-three years, Sandy Soffa, and nine children - Denise Culver (Littleton, CO), Larry Soffa, Jr. (Port Angeles, WA), Scott Soffa (Denver, CO), Jim Soffa (Westminster, CO), John Soffa (Englewood, CO), Heidi Grettenberger (Colorado Springs, CO), David Powell (Denver, CO), Danny Powell (Colorado Springs, CO) and Jeran Powell (Westminster, CO). Another son, Kirk Powell, and a granddaughter, Chelsea Yeager, preceded Larry in death. He is also survived by twelve grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, Sandy requests that donations be made to the Denver Rescue Mission in his name.