Larry Joseph Kriebs

Larry was born on July 8th, 1948 at the Queen of Angels Hospital in Los Angeles, California. He was raised alongside his older sister Sherry and his younger brother Garey.

Growing up in Redondo Beach, a love of water led to him becoming both a star freestyle swimmer in high school and one of the original “California Surfers”. Citing a healthy disdain for school, he finished high school early and joined the Marine Corps, eventually being shipped out to fight in the Vietnam War. While stationed in Khe Sanh, he was wounded by a machine gun explosion. Temporarily blinded, he was airlifted out for treatment – after which he hastily returned to duty. This injury led to him receiving a purple heart. Upon his return to the States, he spent some time working on his cousin’s dairy farm in Illinois before returning to Southern California and eventually meeting his future wife, Arlene Veiga. The two of them would have gone on to celebrate their fiftieth anniversary this coming April. Eloping to Las Vegas, they made their home in Hemet California where they had two children: Brian Edward and Bonnie Larene. Throughout their childhood, Larry was very supportive of his children and their interests, and couldn’t have been happier watching them grow and attain the success in life he’d always dreamed for them.

Over his life, Larry worked countless jobs. Notably, he served in the California Department of Forestry as a Fire Captain. Working out of the Oak Glen Conservation Camp, he oversaw hand crews and operated heavy machinery while fighting wildfires. He would go on to assist in the construction of the Diamond Valley Lake; trucking-out debris in massive dump trucks. As a jack of all trades, he made pizzas, owned a frame store, and worked as an actor. He was also a long-haul truck driver, and was later an instructor.

Additionally, Larry had an abundant love for animals–especially dogs. He was known to be somewhat of a dog whisperer and had never encountered an animal that he couldn’t befriend.

Larry insisted on working throughout his retirement and he managed several houses he and Arlene owned. Whenever he was home, he looked forward to playing pool and catching up with local friends.

Yet, he would argue that being involved in his four grandchildren’s lives was his true calling. He made sure to be present as much as possible and became something of a second father to Jamie, Nicholas, Kenna, and Rayna. Larry was incredibly proud of Jamie’s recent acceptance into college and their career ambitions and loved to celebrate Nick’s numerous athletic achievements, and was very much looking forward to the start of baseball season. His affection for Kenna and Rayna was immeasurable, and he made sure to spoil and spend as much time with them as he could. In fact, much of his retirement was spent in Sierra Madre and Lemon Grove.

The unexpected loss of our husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend has been immensely hard. Yet with fond memories and the lasting impact Larry has had on all the lives he touched over the years, his legacy will be lovingly held in the hearts of those he loved and those who love him.