David A Larkin

David was born in lower Michigan, but he was a proud Yooper, having grown up on a farm in the upper peninsula of Michigan, near the shores of Lake Superior, where he learned to ski and enjoyed scouring the shores for agate.

He moved to Grants, NM in high school, graduating from Grants High School in 1970. With his blue eyes and wit, he swept his wife, Becky, off of her feet, and the two of them were married in 1972 at the ages of 19 and 17. They were married for 52 years.

David and Becky started their married life in Colorado Springs, CO where he graduated from Pikes Peak Institute of Medical Technology. Becky’s family provided him with an opportunity to apprentice as an electrician in the uranium mines, which spurred the career he would have for the remainder of his working life. His skill and dedication made him a respected figure in his community, and he mentored many colleagues as he moved from the mines in New Mexico to the coal mines of Colorado, and eventually to ski lift manufacturing, retiring as a Master Electrician from Leitner-Poma of America in Grand Junction, CO. He was very dedicated to his craft, and often repeated the mantra that the only reasons to miss work were if you were “dead or in jail.” His ingenuity made him a jack of all trades.

His work ethic was only outmatched by his passions for cycling and craft beer, and his devotion to his family. As the embodiment of tenacity and on his favorite bike, “Lance,” he completed a high-altitude bike race called the “Triple Bypass”, in the freezing rain, during a year when 1/3 of the competitors dropped out, many experiencing hypothermia. His love for cycling took him over the Mesa and the Colorado National Monument many times, and even during full moons.

David was delighted to discuss and imbibe craft beer and kept several Trapper Keepers™ full of reviews and painstakingly collected beer labels for hundreds of beers. He was into home brewing before it was cool, and even won a blue ribbon for his brew in a town fair in the 80s.

David doted on his wife and was a loving father to his two children. He approached his role as a husband and father with the same fervor he applied to his passions. His family was his greatest pride, and he was known for his unwavering support and boundless love. He worked endless hours to support them, but he was always available to take them fishing, camping, or cycling through the Glenwood Canyon.

He was preceded in death by his father, David; his mother, Donna; and his brother, Danny. He is survived by Becky; their two children, Audrey and David; his son-in-law, Forrest; his granddaughters Angelina and Anastasia; his sisters, Dawn, Deana, and Amy; and numerous friends and extended family, all of which will cherish his memory.

A celebration of his life will occur on October 12th, 2024 at Edgewater Brewing (905 Struthers Ave, Grand Junction, CO 81501) at 2 pm. Please feel free to don your favorite Hawaiian shirt, David's favorite “dress up” attire. In lieu of flowers, his family requests that donations be made in his honor The Assistance Fund (https://tafcares.org/the Healthwell Foundation (https://www.healthwellfoundation.org/), both of which were generous in their support of David, providing the means to acquire specialized medical equipment and treatments as he navigated his ALS journey, or to the ALS Therapy Development Institute (https://www.als.net/), which is dedicated to ALS research.

David will be deeply missed. He was a man who could say more in one word than others can say in a monologue, and his personal adages will be forever etched in the memories of his loved ones and will continue to guide and inspire those who knew him.