Larry Forgey Obit
Larry Lewis Forgey was born on November 14th, 1940, to Clarence Jackson (Cad) Forgey and Oleta May (Walker) Forgey in Walsh, CO. He departed this world, for his new home in heaven on August 8th, 2012 in Gunnison, CO at the age of 71 years.
Larry was the first of two children that began the family for Cad and Oleta, and Patsy Jeanne would join the trio in April of 1942. The family lived south of Walsh for most of Larry's growing years.
Larry started dating the love of his life, Thelma Gene Murray, during their senior year in high school, and on June 12, 1960, they were joined in marriage. Larry and Thelma lived south of Walsh where Larry grew up. In 1961, they began their family with William Ray (Bill) who was born on November 5th. The family was again blessed when Larry Gene was born on March 18th, 1963, and then again when Wendy Lynn was born June 9th, 1972. Larry and Thelma raised their family, while farming with his father, Cad. In 1980, his Dad passed away.
Larry continued to farm with his wife and their children. It was truly a family affair, with Thelma refereeing the kids while they helped drive tractor, moved pipe, and harvested. In December of 1983, Bill was joined in marriage to Jana Seemann, and to this union James Christopher (JC), Amanda Marie, Thomas Lewis, and Joshua Daniel were born. In May of 1985, Larry Gene and Brenda Ankrum were joined in marriage and to this union Whitney Dawn, and Clarence Jeffery (Clay) were born. Wendy graduated from high school in 1991 and moved to Gunnison for school and eventually made it her home. Larry and Thelma enjoyed visiting Wendy and often took advantage of the close proximity to Taylor Lake, and the fishing. On May 3, 1992, Larry and his wife accepted Jesus Christ as their Loving Savior. From that time forward it was important to Larry that he be involved in the church and with their church family.
In 2005, Larry's mother, Oleta, was diagnosed with cancer. Larry and Thelma were blessed with her presence in their home in her last days. In 2010, Larry and Thelma celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary, as well as Larry Gene and Brenda 25th Anniversary. We also celebrated the marriages of JC to Elissa Kerr, and Clay to Meghan Rusher. It was a busy, but joyful year.
Larry and Thelma loved to travel and took many trips with family and friends, whether it was to Texas with the Sides, Wrights and Hebberds, or camping with family. Going hunting and camping over at Eddie and Joyce Ming's was a yearly event first spent with Gus and Vida Samuelson, and Hugh and Bonnie Schooley, and as the years went by, their new friends, Andy and Peggy Dobie, and Pat Henderson joined in the fun. There was always a hunting story to be told and a game of Hearts to be played. Time spent with friends and family provided years of memories that continued to be retold until the day Larry passed away. Grandpa and Grandma loved taking their grandkids camping. They loaded up the horse trailer with the 6 grandkids and went to Turks to fish and spend the night. Clay remembers one such trip to Turks, when he and Grandpa took the boat and there was a missing plug. Clay was real concerned when the water was up past his ankles. Grandpa in his meek and mild manner suggested that Clay might want to find something to start bailing water with, but not to worry, the large body of water called Turks really wasn't that deep, or so Grandpa said. Grandpa continued to work to get the plug in the boat. Well needless to say, Grandpa got the plug in the boat, and was able to start the pump to get the water out of the boat, and the fishing trip continued on. A memorable trip for Larry and Thelma was when they took Oleta and Josh to Canada for a family reunion. On the trip, they enjoyed showing Josh Yellow Stone, Glacier National Park, Little Big Horn, Mount Rushmore and many other places. They also loved to talk about the trip to South Dakota with Wendy. They stopped at cousin Hal Walkers on the way and then spent two weeks driving and seeing the sights. In 2010, Grandpa and Grandma started a new tradition of a yearly camping trip with Adam, Whitney, and Kameron and of course Wendy. As with all trips with Grandpa and Grandma, there were always additions to the group, whether it was Josh joining the group on the trip to Nebraska, or Amanda joining on the trip to Lathrop State Park. Even Maddy got to join in the camping fun on the last camping trip to Lathrop state park. You couldn't talk about Larry unless you included trips to Taylor Lake. Larry first started going to Taylor with his Mom, Dad, and his Grandpa Walker. He continued the tradition with his wife, children and grandkids as they came along. Larry enjoyed the cool air, the beautiful mountains, and what was almost always great fishing, but what he loved most is when his family could go with him.
Larry also enjoyed golfing and playing cards. Many was a morning, that Larry would wake up and ask Thelma, "Would it be ok if I go golfing?" Larry would head to town to see who he could find in the Golfing Group to go. Dick Cook often called and asked Thelma if her little boy could come out and play. In the winters, if the weather was bad and he couldn't go golfing, he often spent time playing cards with the Pipers. In the summers when it was hot he would head to the mountains where there was cooler weather and the fishing was good.
It was important to Larry that he support his grandkids. He and Thelma went to football games, wrestling matches, and rodeos. He was so very proud of them. In 2006, Whitney Dawn married Adam Wray and Grandpa's heart grew bigger when his first great-grandkid came along. Kameron Dale Wray was born June 21st, 2007. It was his job to make sure that Kameron knew how to fish properly and this very summer, Kameron out-fished Grandpa Forgey, something never before done, or at least never admitted to. JC and Elissa added to the family when Maddyson Jo was born on November 16th, 2011. Larry loved it when Maddy came to visit. She was his little girl and the apple of his eye. He got to meet his newest great grandson on July 9th,2012 when Devyn John Wray was born. Grandpa got to see all of his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren prior to his trip to the mountains to see his daughter.
Larry spent his last day fishing with his wife, Thelma, at Taylor Lake, and then enjoying the evening with his daughter, Wendy, and friends, Andy and Peggy Dobie. On August 8th, 2012, Larry left this life, to be with his Lord and Savior. Larry was preceded in death by his parents Cad and Oleta Forgey, and his sister Patsy Miller. Left behind to mourn his passing is wife, Thelma Forgey of Walsh, son, Bill and Jana Forgey, son, Larry Gene and Brenda Forgey all of Walsh, daughter, Wendy Forgey of Gunnison, 6 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren, JC and Elissa Forgey, daughter Maddyson Jo, Adam and Whitney Wray, sons Kameron, and Devyn, Amanda Forgey all of Walsh, Clay and Meghan Forgey of Sugar City, CO, Thomas Forgey and, Josh Forgey of Walsh. Others that grieve his passing is niece's, Sharon Schmidt and family of Syracuse, KS, Sandy Adams of Syracuse, KS, Pam James and family of Walsh, Aunt Mildred Walker, Aunt Ila Ruth Walker all of Walsh, sisters and brother-in-laws Bill and Fern Wright, and Dean and Lela Sides in addition to a very large host of family, friends, and last but not least his Golf and Card playing buddies.