Larry Dean Heupel

Larry Heupel was born on December 20, 1946. He was the youngest of seven children and grew up on the family farm in Perkins County, South Dakota. By the age of eight, he was plowing fields with a tractor, and a few years later he was driving the grain truck to Bison. He attended a one-room schoolhouse in his early years and graduated from Bison High School in 1964, where he enjoyed playing basketball. In 1968, he graduated from Black Hills State University with a business degree.

Larry was a car guy — he worked in the car business for forty years. He began as the finance manager of an Oldsmobile dealership in Rapid City before moving to Colorado Springs to help run its sister dealership. After a couple of years, Larry struck out on his own and opened a used car lot, Academy Motor Company, which grew quickly. He later invested in a dealership in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, and when the poor farm economy of the era kept that venture from panning out, he returned to Colorado Springs, where he served as used car manager at three of the town's prominent dealerships.

Larry met Carol Ann Peterson in 1967 at one of her legendary house parties. Like Larry, Carol was the youngest child of a large family and grew up on a farm, hers outside of Sundance, Wyoming. Within a year, Larry and Carol were married. Together they raised two sons, Kevin and Chad, and delighted in five grandchildren: Max, JJ, Erianne, Logan, and Andrew.

When Larry wasn't selling cars, he was trading stocks or on the golf course. Unlike most aging golfers, Larry improved with age, holding a single-digit handicap in his final years. He treasured the camaraderie of the game, playing with his wife, family, and friends at the Colorado Springs Country Club. He recorded three holes-in-one in his life and was forever tweaking his swing, always searching for a better and more efficient way to play.

Larry was a Christian who celebrated his faith at Woodmen Valley Chapel. He always appreciated the authentic sermons of Pastor Josh Lindstrom, whom he credited with inspiring his rediscovery of Christ. Larry enjoyed reading the Bible, drawing inspiration from Scripture in his daily life.

Larry will be remembered as a hard-working man — one who labored on the family farm as a boy and put in long hours in the car business for decades — yet always found time for a round of golf and, above all, for his family. A lifelong student of the game, Larry watched endless YouTube golf videos, tested what he learned on the driving range, and then happily passed his findings along to his golfing buddies, whether they asked for the advice or not. He conducted his life with integrity, valued his friendships deeply, and loved his family well.

The family would like to thank the caring staff at Pikes Peak Hospice, who made Larry's final days as peaceful as possible, and the doctors and nurses at Memorial Hospital who supported Larry throughout his cancer treatments. The family is especially grateful to Matt Ferrell at Woodmen Valley Chapel, whose visits, prayers, and steady presence meant more to Larry and the family than words can express.

Larry is survived by his wife, Carol; his sons, Kevin and Chad (Kira) Heupel; his five grandchildren, Max, JJ, Erianne, Logan, and Andrew Heupel; his three sisters, Lucille (Del) May, Janet Loebs, and Betty (Ron) Mateo; his brother-in-law, Richard (Linda) Peterson; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Caroline Heupel; his sister, Verna Penfield; and his two brothers, Elmer and Harold Heupel.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Larry's name to Woodmen Valley Chapel or First Tee – Southern Colorado.