Laurence "Larry" A Metherd

Laurence (Larry) A. Metherd passed peacefully to meet his Lord and Savior surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, June 21, 2025. He was 96 years of age. Larry entered this world on March 3, during the Great Depression of 1929 to his parents Arthur D. Metherd and Violet V. Higginson, in Englewood, Colorado. He attended Hawthorne Elementary School in Englewood with his life-long friend Lloyd Rauchfuss. Around 1938 the family relocated to a farm in Derby, Colorado.

It was the beginning of WW II when his father wanted to move the family out of the city to the country. They relocated to the southeastern area of Simla/Elbert. In his formative years through ninth grade Dad attended school in Simla, then Elbert at the one-room Springdale schoolhouse, with six students, 2 of whom were his siblings. The school still stands today. He and his younger brother rode their horse “Babe” to school, and there was a small barn for the horse with grain/hay that Dad delivered by tractor to the manger for her to eat during the day. His chores at the schoolhouse were to bring in water from the hand pump outside and gather coal for the stove.

He was to attend tenth grade at Elbert High School, but again was uprooted to help his father on the farm. The family moved from Elbert to the Parker Road in town where he assisted his father in building a new home. They temporarily lived in a 15 x 15 canvas Army squad tent with a small cookstove until the house was completed. During the Denver blizzard of 1946 the tent roof caved in during the night from the weight of the snow!

Dad worked with his father at a variety of jobs during his teenage years, one of which was bringing electricity to homes in eastern and southern Colorado. He worked the hot summers pulling electrical wiring through the attics. He also worked at Gates Rubber Co., Samsonite Luggage Co., and hauled cement for the construction of the Cherry Creek Dam. Every summer he would travel to Ulysses, Kansas to help his Uncle Elvin with the wheat harvest.

Around 1946-47 after the war, he followed in the footsteps of his older brother Don, and signed up to join the Merchant Marines as a volunteer with a two-year commitment. After completing his training in St. Petersburg, Florida, he was shipped out of New York to Bremerhaven, Germany where he began to transport war refugees to ports all over the world. By the age of 21 he had sailed to, Amsterdam, Naples, Italy, Dutch E. Indies, Suez Canal, Egypt, Australia, Puerto Cabello, Venezuela, and a few more.

While in Venezuela he was called to service by the Army. After a week of leave at home he arrived in 1950 for boot camp at Ft. Riley, Kansas. After boot camp he attended “Jump School” in Ft. Benning, Georgia as a paratrooper completing 18 jumps to “earn his wings.” He was in the 11th Airborne division achieving the rank of Corporal. While in the Army he was involved in two serious automobile accidents, no fault of his own. He was discharged from the Army in 1952 and headed home from Nashville on his beloved 1947 Harley.

Dad met the love of his life, Shirley Ann Snellgrove on a blind date in Denver, Colorado. He married her in 1954. Together they were wonderful parents to Ranae, Guy, and Tina.

After the military he went to school on the GI Bill for welding and trained to be a mechanic. He worked 10 years at the White Star Garage and 17 years at White Motor Co, White Freightliner (as a diesel mechanic). In 1978, his younger brother Jerry encouraged him to join the Denver Fire Department. He studied for and obtained his GED and began his career as a diesel mechanic/body man at the Denver Fire Department Repair shop in 1979. He retired in 1993 after 14 years of service. Dad always told us he enjoyed going to work everyday to do what he loved. Not many folks can make that claim!

Dad led a long and incredible storied life. His interests and hobbies were many, the quintessential handy man, VW rebuilds, Louis L’Amour, Bluegrass music, playing the card game 13, life-long motorcycle enthusiast, birdwatching, hunting, and fishing. He and Shirley were married for 65 years. After retirement they enjoyed caring for their beloved Siberian Husky, “Kenosha”, camping, car races, family gatherings, travel and taking care of each other. He was a loyal family man and friend, took pleasure in studying God’s word, and was always there to give a hand to someone in need. He leaves behind a wonderful legacy for his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. We will miss his stories, wicked sense of humor, but most of all we will miss you, our wonderful Dad!

He is survived and so loved and missed by his daughters, and sons-in-laws, Ranae (Jim) Watson of Concrete, WA, and Tina (Tim) Hodges of Castle Rock, CO. Grandchildren, Tuyler, Nicholas, Claire, Anna, Elliott Metherd; Cory, Jesse Watson; and Makenna, Keaton Hodges; Great-Grand-daughters, Ella and Ellie; sister-in-law Joann Metherd, and many dear nieces and nephews. Our thanks to the many kind and caring neighbors who shared many kindnesses through the years. You know who you are.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife Shirley and son Guy, his parents Arthur and Violet Metherd, infant sister, Evelyn, sister Viola, and 3 brothers, Don, Jerry, and Charlie.

The family would like to thank the kind and professional services provided by medical personnel and physicians at Castle Rock Adventist, Skyridge Hospitals, and Denver Hospice.

At Larry’s request, there will be a private inurnment and graveside service at Chapel Hill/Olinger cemetery with military honors at a later date.

“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” - Psalms 116:15

“Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! - Psalms 118:1