Larry Dale Mcclaren

Larry Dale McClaren was born on September 5, 1957, to Dale McClaren and Quintella Ewing McClaren. He died on October 12, 2024, at the age of 67.

Larry was the only child to Dale and Quintella. Growing up he lived in several different places that included New Mexico and Colorado. Larry graduated from high school in Pritchett, Colorado in 1976. The family then moved to Alamosa, Colorado where Larry attended Adams State College and graduated with a degree in Anthropology in 1982. Anthropology suited Larry, as he always loved digging in the dirt.

Growing up Larry enjoyed riding motorcycles and hanging out with his cousins who lived nearby in Pritchett. His love of motorcycles continued right up until his health would not allow him to ride anymore.  Larry always had some kind of motorcycle or two and they were always nice bikes.

Larry loved to ski and briefly lived on Wolf Creek Pass and worked at the ski area.  He spent a lot of his days off from college classes skiing. Several semesters of college classes were “arranged” to fit in skiing with his cousin Randy. They even got Rhonda up on the slope a time or two.

Larry worked at numerous jobs up to and through college. He was never afraid of hard work. He could dig a ditch or wire a cell tower with the same enthusiasm. Later in his life, Larry worked for Lucent Technologies wiring cell towers and sites.

After he retired, he spent quite a bit of time traveling with his parents. They went on several cruises and trips. Larry also got into working with metal and making all kinds of artwork.  His signature of a dog print was on about all of his creations. He made swords and knives and about anything you could bend or shape out of metal.

Another love of Larry’s life was his dogs Dusty and later Rowdy. He was always teaching the dogs tricks and he loved them dearly. He might have gone a little overboard in taking care of them.

The doghouse was a large tough-shed specifically brought in for the dogs that had a TV on the wall, two recliners for relaxing together, and of course heat and air conditioning so they would be comfortable.

Larry was a very social person and spent a lot of time at the Pepper Pod Restaurant in Hudson, Colorado, where he was known by about everyone. He would go to the Pepper Pod daily for meals and to have coffee.  He inherited this habit from his Dad, Dale, who did the same thing.

Larry devoted his life to taking care of his parents. He lived with his Mom and Dad until Dale passed away several years ago. Then it was just Larry and his Mom. Even with Larry’s deteriorating health, he was insistent on caring for Quin, his Mom.

Larry had a special and dear relationship with his girlfriend, Connie Bradburn. They enjoyed a long and lasting love right up to his death. Connie was the love of Larry’s life and Larry was the love of hers. Quintella and Connie were both with him when he passed away.

Larry is survived by his Mom, Quintella McClaren, and special friend, Connie Bradburn, along with numerous cousins and friends. It was said by many of his cousins that Larry was more like a brother than a cousin and they loved him dearly.