Larry Sanchez, 82, of Laramie, WY, formally of Lyman, NE, passed peacefully, at home, with his family by his side, the evening of Monday, July 19^th. At his request, cremation has taken place & entrusted in the hands of Montgomery/Stryker Funeral Home, in Laramie. A Rosary will be held on Friday, July 30^th, at 6pm at St. Agnes Catholic Church, with a Mass Funeral on Saturday, July 31^st, at 10am, at St. Agnes Catholic Church. Burial of cremains will immediately follow at Forrest Lawn Cemetery in Morrill, NE.

Larry was born in Alamogordo, NM, on August 20^th, 1938 to Refujio & Jose Sanchez, being the 2^nd oldest of four children. Larry spent his childhood working with his parents in fields, where he developed his undeniable work ethic, alongside his three adoring sisters, Nellie, Lola & Lupe. He always maintained a close relationship with his sisters & not a year passed with out them visiting one another.

Larry served in the United States Army, Battery E, 78^th Artillery, from 1961 to 1963, in Ft. Ord, CA & Ft. Carson, CO, with is lifelong best friend, Cerilo Hernandez, by his side. He was awarded The Good Conduct Medal for exemplary behavior & efficiency, as well as a decorated Marksman and Sharpshooter, with an Honorary Discharge.

Larry married his wife Olivia in 1968, in Scottsbluff, NE., & to their union their two beautiful children, Janell & Lorenzo, Jr., were born & were raised in Lyman, NE. During his life career he was a business owner, owing “Larry’s Conoco 66”,  worked at Regional West Medical Center as a Security Officer, but was most proud of serving his community as the Mayor, with dearest of friends, who was like a daughter, Kim Robb , on Board of Lyman, & serving the Lyman Volunteer Fire Department from 1972 till his retirement of duties in October 2020.  With the highest of Honors having the Lyman Fire Station named after him, “The Larry Sanchez Fire Station #1”.

Larry was a spirit larger than life to so many, but no title was more important to him than “Grandpa”. He was gifted with his two lovely grandchildren in which he dedicated his time traveling for his grandson’s sports with favorite being many baseball games. The last home game of senior year, Grandpa was honored with throwing the first pitch, to Nate, & was gifted with his own personal team jersey & a baseball signed by the whole team. Aubreigh & grandpa had the most special relationship, to her he was much more than Grandpa, he was her Punkin, a very special name she gifted to him. Punkin enjoyed many of her sports activities as well but loved attending her bowling league the most.

Janell her dad grew extremely close once she became a mom & she spent many years overseeing so much of his health care needs by attending every doctor’s appointments to desperately ensure we all had “just that much more time” with him. It was so important to have him close, so Mark & her made it possible for them to move to Laramie where he could truly relax and focus on his health. Lorenzo & his dad so much in common & Lorenzo admired every ounce of his being. He looked up to the “man of few words” but appreciated his wisdom, words of encouragement & simplicity in his approach to life. He was so important & will have the most special place in Lorenzo and Lesta’s hearts, as he was the basis of so many conversations of how much they deeply loved and truly respected their Sweet Punkin. In short, we are all so blessed to call this man our dad, father-in-law, grandfather, brother & the heart of our family. No words could properly express our deep love that now fuels our greatest pain. The community has lost such a beloved man & heaven has gained our most precious treasure.

Larry is survived by his wife, Olivia, daughter and son-in-law, Janell & Mark Hill, of Laramie, WY, son & daughter-in-law, Lorenzo and Lesta Sanchez, of Parker, CO., grandson & his fiancée, Nathaniel & Phoebe (Clark) Hill & granddaughter, Aubreigh Hill, of Laramie, WY. sisters, Nellie Pena, of Alamogordo, NM., Lola Hills, of Naples, FL., Lupe Sanchez, of Lyman, NE., & several beloved family & friends.

He is proceeded in death by his parents, mother and father-in-law, several family members, & wonderful friends.

We would like to offer a heartfelt thank you to all his DaVita nurses of Scottsbluff , Ivinson Memorial Dialysis Center of Laramie, wonderful doctors & the nurses of Poudre Valley & Medical Center of the Rockies, for the tender care you provided over the years & into the recent, as well as Hospice of Laramie.

A memorial has been established, to be later designated to parts of his community, and may be sent to 15526 E. Flower Mound Pl, Parker, CO, 80134.

We love you, Punkin, you’re forever in our hearts.