Larry Neal Pletcher

Larry Neal Pletcher, age 84, of Craig, Colorado passed away on Saturday, December 16, 2023 at St. Mary's Medical Center in Grand Junction. A funeral service honoring Larry's life will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, December 21, 2023, at Grant Mortuary. Burial will follow at Craig Cemetery.

Larry Neal Pletcher was born July 16, 1939 in Shattuck, OK to Harvey and Anna Beth Bowen Pletcher. He grew up in Perryton, TX.

His mother died when Larry was six and he and his father lived with an elderly aunt and his grandmother Pletcher. After graduating from high school in 1957, Larry attended the University of Colorado – Boulder where he graduated with a B.A. in English Literature and a minor in Secondary Education. He was hired to teach 6th grade at East School in 1960. He always said his first class of 6th graders taught him a lot! He met Sharon Babb, a teacher at Yampa school, and they were married in 1963. They welcomed two children, Timothy (1965) and Allison (1968) fulfilling their desire for a family. After 9 years of teaching, Larry wanted something more and he and his wife launched into the sewing machine business opening a retail store at 13 Victory Way. The Bernina sewing machine name became known in our region as Larry and Sharon worked hard to serve their customers through sewing education classes and fabric sales at Sewing Chalet. Larry and Sharon closed out Sewing Chalet in 1993 and continued in retailing with machine knitting and sewing machine repair along with their Shaklee Health and Wellness business.

Larry was dedicated to helping Craig and Moffat County make choices in policy that built a stronger safer community. He had to speak against the acceptance of marijuana and was deeply concerned about the affect on our young people. He could not be silent and stood before the city council questioning safe guards for our youth. When other significant issues arose, he was solid and in his thoughtful way worked to again stand for what would be best for our town. He saw the fruit of his labor on some issues and was so encouraged as several of the men who stood with him were from that first 6th grade class. What a blessing for the teacher!

He was a brilliant man; dedicated to his students and many hundreds of customers. In his life he held a high standard and as he aged showed wisdom and appreciation for family and friends. Larry was passionate about excellence in academics instilling children with moral values and respect for parents, love of country, and God. The result was starting a private Christian school with a small group of dedicated parents. The route became clear that home schooling was the best answer for concerned parents. As pioneers in home schooling, Larry and Sharon encouraged parents to take responsibility for their children’s education and future. Larry treasured his trips to Israel and he spoke about the wonder of Israel’s birth as a nation in 1948 giving the Jews a homeland.

He and Sharon celebrated their joyous 60th anniversary August 2023 with family.

At 84, he kept working and realized he was slowing down and not well. He was taken to St. Mary’s hospital in Grand Junction and treated with some encouragement that he could get better. He communicated his love to his wife and daughter as they stayed by his side praying, reading scripture, and singing his favorite hymns. Then his time to go came quickly and he was called home by the Lord.

The family’s great sorrow at loosing Larry is tempered by the knowledge that he truly had committed his life to Jesus’ saving grace and received Eternal Life.

Larry is survived by his wife Sharon, his children Allison and Tim (Deanna), and two grandchildren Jacob and Anna Grace, his sister in law, Sandra Adams and her children, John(Marj) Adams, Jeanne (Peter) Wayne and their children.