Larry Gonzales, our father, grandfather, and friend peacefully returned to Heavenly Father holding his beloved wife’s hand on December 12, 2025 at age 80.

Larry was born Larry Joe Padilla on July 5, 1945 in Garcia, Colorado to Julio Padilla and Elvira Pacheco. When Larry was about eight, he was adopted by Felix Gonzales and Mary Velarde. Larry had thirteen biological siblings. As an adult, he reconnected with at least two sisters, Francis and Dora, with whom he maintained contact until their passing.

Larry grew up in East Carbon, Utah where he loved to put his teachers to the test. Larry developed a love for music at an early age playing his dad’s guitar. He and his friends had a band that played at dances, weddings, and community events all through school at Dragerton High. Legend has it; he was among the best guitarists in the state. Later in life he inspired several young musicians to take up the guitar.

Larry joined the U.S. Army in 1965, going to Fort Ord, California for basic training. After additional jump school training at Fort Benning, Georgia, he was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina with the 82nd Airborne where he also played in a band for fun. Larry was sent to Vietnam as part of the 101st Airborne Division, “Screaming Eagles,” where he served for over a year. Later, he served as a division clerk for the 82nd Airborne at Fort Bragg. He was awarded the Parachute Badge, National Defense Service Metal, and the CIB Combat Badge.

After his time serving the country he loves, Larry lived in Long Beach, California for a time where he met and married Sandy Adams. Larry then moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado, “Mi Tierra,” where they raised their children. He worked in the insurance business for 31 years and ran his own insurance agency there. He loved spending time hunting and camping in the beautiful mountains of Colorado.

Larry retired from the insurance business in the early 2000s and received his CDL. He began driving for the Mountain Metro Transit. Larry loved to drive and was a true professional. Later, he drove for Centro de Familia in Cache Valley, Utah where he loved driving the kids. He also enjoyed being able to provide translation for the ESL families there. This meant a lot to him because of personal experiences not being able to speak English as a child.

In 2004, he met Deanna, through his sister, Carol. Deanna and Carol worked together at Peterson Elementary in East Carbon, Utah. He and Deanna were married on May 13, 2005. Larry quickly became, “Grandpa Larry,” to a whole bunch more grandkids. Deanna and Larry lived in Colorado Springs until 2008 when they moved to Logan, Utah. Larry also loved exploring the beauty of Cache Valley and surrounding mountains.

Ever a Patriot and Broncos fan, Larry loved all things American and football. Backyard BBQs, fireworks, flags, family, sports, and looking for deer and elk made for some of the best days. Larry was an amazing conversationalist in that he could relate to anyone and never ceased to amaze with new revelations from his vast life experience. Always a music lover, Larry loved playing the guitar, listening to the Tabernacle Choir, and singing with his primary class kids.

Thank-you, Larry, for your steady way, your love, and wisdom. Your memory will always be with us in the flag, the mountains and great guitar music, until we see each other again. We love you.

Larry is preceded in death by his parents; his former wife, Sandy Gonzales; biological sisters, Francis and Dora; his cousin, Alice Vigil (Jake); and brother-in-law, Leland Lobato (Carol).

He is survived by his wife, Deanna Gonzales; his children, Paul Gonzales (Khiana), Michelle Harris (Jim), and Jon Gonzales (Kerry); Deanna’s children, Ian Humes (Jenny), Jeremy Humes (Nicole), Heidi Litster (Rory), and Zac Humes (Lindsay); grandchildren, Caelus Gonzales, Jake, Emily, and Nate Humes, Parker (Makara), Dax, Easton, and Dallin Humes, Ben (Andrea), Abby, Matt, and Josh Hartley, and Hallee and Piper Humes; and one great-granddaughter on the way (Larry gets to meet her first!); sister, Carol Lobato; cousins, Diane Crespin (Glen); niece, Loretta Putcher (Courtney); nephew, Leland Lobato (Jessie); great-nephews, Tyson and Marques Herrera; and great-nieces, Dominique and Jade Putcher and Monique Lobato.

Memorial services will be held on January 3, 2025 at 11:30 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Chapel at 1550 E. 1900 N. North Logan, Utah 84341. A reception with the family will be held prior to the service, from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.