Larry Delbert Eckels

Larry Delbert Eckels, 65, of La Junta, passed away unexpectedly on July 1, 2010, in Pueblo. A memorial service will be Friday, July 9, 2010, at 1:00 p.m. at Peacock Memorial Chapel in La Junta with Reverend Rick Miller of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church of Rocky Ford officiating. Inurnment will follow at Fort Lyon National Cemetery with military honors from Peterson Air Force Base.

Larry was born on August 8, 1944 in Cheyenne Wells, Colorado to Delbert V. Eckels and Irene R. Eckels. He attended Scott City Elementary School in Scott City, Kansas and graduated in 1962 from Westminster High School in Denver, Colorado. In June of 1965, Larry enlisted in the United States Air Force and served for 20 years before retiring as a Technical Sergeant in 1985. He then went to work for Reeves Bros. Construction doing remodeling work at the Ordway Nursing Home. He would soon be hired as the nursing home's Director of Maintenance where he would work for the next nine years. His final place of employment was at the Arkansas Valley Community Center as the Director of Maintenance where he would touch many lives for the next 15+ years. Larry loved wood working and working in the yard. He was a man known for his compassionate heart and willingness to serve others.

Larry was a member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Rocky Ford, CO where he actively served in various positions, including Congregational President, Elder, Usher, and Bible Study Teacher before moving to La Junta.

He is survived by his four children, Shawn of Denver, CO, Chad and his wife, Patty of Evansville, IN, Tracy and her husband, Ricky of Rocky Ford, CO, and Corinne of Grand Junction, CO; eight grandchildren, Jonah, Alysa, Joshua, Caleb, Samantha, Kiyana, Jacob and Logan; his first wife, Bonnie Mathena of Evansville, IN and his second wife, Lynn Eckels of Rocky Ford, CO. Other close relations include Sandra Brown and Angela Hardy as well as their families.

Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.