Larry Gene Ahrens

Larry was born in Fredericksburg, TX on November 25, 1945, and was raised in Del Rio where he attended school through his senior year of High School. Larry attended college at Southwest Texas Junior College, where he was able to pursue one of his favorite past-times of steer dogging. Larry was preceded in death by his parents Benno and Vera Ahrens, and son Shannon Gene Ahrens. Survived by his wife of 42 years Mary, 5 children, Daina and her husband Mike Slover, Julie Skiles, Phillip Ahrens, Missy and her husband Doug Christensen, and Reagan Ahrens, 6 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, two sisters Aileen Hayes and Joyleen Ahrens and several nieces and nephews. He loved hard and was loved very much and will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

In his younger days Larry loved to rodeo, enjoyed farming, golfing, fishing and boating, welding, and bow and rifle hunting. Later enjoyment came from swimming in the pool with his grandchildren and great grandchildren on his back, Radio Controlled boats and aircrafts, making pipes, smoking cigars with the other Holy Smokes members, BBQing for his family, playing Mexican Train with 3 generations of family, studying the Bible, contributing to his trivia book of useless information, and most of all bragging to whomever he could hold hostage, about his family members. Larry was a 4-H Club member, serving as president one year in High School. As an adult, he cooked for some of their events, and helped his children with their events. Jack of all trades, and master of none, Larry was known for tinkering and “fixing” things, usually with spare bolts/screws and parts left over.

Larry had a strong faith in God, knew God had a plan and he was all right with it. He was a bull in a China cabinet sometimes, and one never questioned where they stood with Larry, but he was also a caring, giving soul. Larry’s wife and children recognized and appreciate the sacrifices he made to provide for them all. If you knew Larry, you knew his family always came first, no questions asked. Serving two terms in Vietnam with the Navy Seabees, Larry was a true patriot, and continued to pray as well ask for others to pray for our country. As a Southern Pacific then Amtrack engineer on the railroad for over 30 years, Larry did not have a regular work/sleep schedule. It wasn’t until Larry retired that he was able to spend as much time with his family as he would have liked.

In lieu of flowers or memorials, donations to Disabled Veterans of America or American Cancer Society are greatly appreciated.

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