Larry Layton Potts

Larry Potts, 85, passed away on Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. A celebration of his life will be held at Meridian Point Church in Peyton, on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.

Larry Layton Potts was the ninth child of ten children, born on March 23, 1939, the son of James Sanford and Vada Lavenia (Hewett) Potts, in Royston, Texas on the family farm. He graduated from McCaulley High School in 1957.

Larry married the love of his life Lucretia Alice Leaton on July 11, 1964, they were married for 43 years until she passed away in 2007. They had two beautiful daughters, Lisabeth and Lari. Larry was blessed to have married his second wife in February of 2011, Johnah (Kenner, Love) Potts, until her passing in January of 2014. His second union brought him a stepdaughter, Charlah, and a stepson John.

Larry had an amazing work ethic and learned a lot from his early life living on a dry farm in West Texas. Shortly after his graduation, he moved to Midland, Texas where he worked for Bill Morrison of Morrison Seat Covers. He was drafted into the US Army in November of 1961 where he served until March 20, 1964. He went back to work for Morrison Seat Covers learning the meticulous trade of doing auto upholstery. He moved to Colorado Springs with his wife Lucretia (Luke) in November of 1967.

Once in Colorado Springs, he worked for Bob Beach at Custom Auto Trim. After working there for about 3 years he bought the land and the buildings and was the sole owner of Custom Auto Trim until December of 2012. He was an expert at the interior restoration of custom cars and served clients from multiple states because of his reputation of being the best in the business. After 44 years of being a master of his craft of auto upholstery in Colorado Springs, his health required him to stop working at a job he truly enjoyed.

Larry was a devoted husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, to many and he was well-known in his community. He enjoyed going to car shows and car club meetings. He went to breakfast with many of his friends on an almost daily basis during his working years. He loved to play cards with his family and friends. Larry would be at any function with his family. He was blessed to see all of his children and grandchildren graduate high school and some college. He went to school events for all of them over the years and his family was the light of his life.

Larry is preceded in death by his wife Lucretia and second wife Johnah; parents Vada and James Potts; stepson, John Love, siblings; Dorrace McCarty, Prentice Potts, Marjorie Neves, Berl Potts, Audie Merle Potts-Martin, Dwayne Potts, Shirley Hansen and Donnie Potts.

His amazing life, smile, and laugh will forever be cherished in the lives of his children, Lisabeth Rea and Chris Dempsey of Colorado Springs; Lari Hanenberg and husband, Jeff of Peyton; Stepdaughter; Charlah Love, grandchildren; Tawny Rea and Jade Buresh of Boise, McKala Ramos, Taysia Sevene, Mindy Gibson and husband Luke, Carly Hanenberg, and Cody Sevene; great-granddaughter Aerith Ramos; sibling Earnest “Mickey” Potts of San Antonio, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. And also his faithful furry grand-dogs, Abby, Hanz, and Duke.

The family would like to thank Rocky Mountain Health Services (PACE) for their care of our Father and Papa over the last few years. Also, a special thank you to Dr. Chad Schooley of Colorado Springs Cardiology for his care and kindness of our Dad for the last 12 years.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation in Larry’s name be made to the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region. Larry was a lover of animals especially his many dogs and a few cats over the years.