Larry Eugene Carpenter, a longtime Valley resident, passed away in Alamosa, Colo., on July 4, 2024, surrounded by his family. He was born on May 22, 1941, in Center, Colo., to LT and Alice Carpenter.
Larry graduated from Sargent High School in 1959 and began farming in the Sargent community. He met his loving wife of 60 years, Connie Helms, and they married on Dec. 31, 1964. Together they raised their four children on the family farm growing potatoes and Coors Barley.
In 1988, they moved to Great Bend, Kan., and then to Greeley, Colo., where Larry continued farming. In 1995, they returned to the San Luis Valley and purchased Alamosa Truck Brokers. Larry retired from the brokerage in 2006 and began driving a shuttle van for Blue Peaks Day Services, a job that brought him great joy.
Larry was an active member of the Sargent community. He was a member of the Sargent Community Church, drove the athletic bus for many years, and during the basketball season you would find him in the Sargent Gym at the scorekeeper’s desk. He was a member and served on the board of the Monte Vista Potato Association, a longtime member of the Monte Vista Elks, and in his later years a member of the Kiwanis Club of Alamosa serving a term as President and was the pancake chef for the 4th of July breakfast.
Larry had a love of the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing and being in the mountains. Many weekends were spent with his family at Santa Maria fishing and riding motorcycles in the summer and snow machines in the winter. He enjoyed many hunting seasons with his son and brother. Larry believed the mountains and their beauty were his church and the best way to honor his faith was spending time as a family enjoying the great outdoors.
Larry is survived by his wife, Connie, who stood with him for 60 memorable years; his children, Lynnette Carpenter, Steve Carpenter (Janalyn), Karen Goodwin (James), and Susan Seder; his seven grandchildren, Jade (Micaela) Gale, CJ (Samantha) Carpenter, Katelyn Brown, Jace (Jude) Carpenter, Micalyn (Brady) Covert, Cadence Seder, and Tyson Tellez; and his three great-grandchildren, Bentlee, Cecilia and Tripp. He is also survived by his siblings, Donald Carpenter, Carolyn Gustafson, Mary Ann Arnett, Theresa Harrison, and Vicki Jones (Art), as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.
He was preceded in death by his parents Lawrence “LT” and Alice Carpenter, and his siblings Warren Carpenter, Virginia DePriest, and Isla Jean Crawford.
Larry was a man of few words. He will be remembered as a quiet and gentle soul by some, an ornery prankster by others, and a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend by many. He will be greatly missed.
A graveside memorial will be held on July 27 at 9:30 a.m. at the Alamosa Cemetery with a Celebration of Life Service at the Cattails Golf Course Knee Knockers Restaurant beginning at 11:30 a.m. with lunch following.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Larry’s name to Alamosa Hospice del Valle or the Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Wildlife and Conservation Division.
Rogers Family Mortuary is in the care of the arrangements. To leave online condolences, tributes, and words of comfort for Larry’s family, please visit www.RogersFunerals.com.
