Larry Dean Foos

Larry Dean Foos

June 23, 1943-August 14, 2024

Larry Dean Foos passed away on August 14, 2024, at the age of 81.

He was born in Greeley, Colorado on June 23, 1943, to Adolph and Clara (Deer) Foos. He graduated from Colorado State College (now the University of Northern Colorado) in 1965 with a degree in Industrial Arts Education. Larry put himself through college and participated in the ROTC program. After completing his degree, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Force. During his 2nd year of college, he met Barbara Ulrich and they were married on August 22, 1965.

While in the Air Force, Larry was stationed at 9 different bases including U-Tapao Airfield, Thailand and Anderson AFB, Guam. He spent his entire career in the Strategic Air Command (SAC) with assignments in aircraft maintenance management. He primarily worked with the B-52, FB-111 and the B-1 aircraft. While stationed at Plattsburgh AFB in New York, he was a Squadron Commander for 2 years. He finished his career at Andrews AFB as a Logistics Liaison Officer, retiring in June 1987. After retiring Larry and family moved back to their home state of Colorado to be near extended family.

After retiring from the Air Force, Larry worked for Continental at the Base Maintenance Facility at Stapleton Airport. When Continental scaled down their maintenance operation in Denver, Larry was the last one to turn off the lights as they shut down the operation. He moved on to Douglas County News Press where he managed their production. After Douglas County News Press was reorganized, he moved to Colorado Window and Siding doing inside sales. He eventually left to pursue other opportunities, finally retiring in 2009 so he could spend more time with his grandkids and spend additional time giving back to the community.

Family was always very important to Larry. Throughout his career he found time to do things like coach Sheri's soccer team, attend Loren's hockey games as well as supporting their other activities. 

In 1976, while in Nebraska he joined Kiwanis. Whenever he was back in Colorado, he would join Barbara's father in attending Kiwanis meetings. After he retiring from the Air Force, he joined and became an active member of the Columbine Kiwanis Club. Over the past 37 years, he has served as club president and held numerous other offices within the Columbine Kiwanis Club. From 2004-2005 Larry was the Rocky Mountain District Division 5 Lieutenant Governor. 

After retiring, he focused on giving back to the community through volunteering. He manned the visitor's desk at the Colorado Capital and additionally volunteered at several other museums in the Denver Metro Area. This allowed him to join the Rocky Mountain Guides Association (RMGA) where he held several offices over the years. Larry and Barbara attended many trips with RMGA, getting to experience the beauty Colorado has to offer so they could share it with others.

Larry's grandkids' love for trains inspired him to fulfill his dream of creating a model railroad. The whole family came together to build the G-Scale Columbine Loop Garden Railroad in their yard, with everyone contributing to the design, track layout, and building construction. Larry worked on all parts of the railroad including running the trains and maintaining the layout. The trains operated regularly for 18 years, and the layout was featured in the National Garden Railroad Tours at three National Conventions. Larry also served as the vendor chair for two of these conventions and was actively involved in the Denver Garden Railroad Society. Alongside Barbara, he attended numerous Garden Railroad Conventions nationwide, where they enjoyed exploring other railroads and gathering ideas to enhance their own layout.

Larry was an integral part of his homeowner's association for 37 years. He strived to make sure that his yard was an example for others in the neighborhood. He spent many hours working in the yard and maintaining the railroad. They had the perfect venue to host many barbeques and parties with friends and family over the years.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Adolph and Clara (Deer) Foos and his brothers Kenneth Foos, Donald Foos and Jerry Foos. He is survived by his wife Barbara (Ulrich) Foos, daughter Sheri Rocha, son Loren Foos and grandchildren Katie and Michael Rocha.

In Lieu of Flowers please consider send donations to any of the following organizations Larry loved and supported:

• Kiwanis Club of Columbine Foundation

P.O. Box 620243

Littleton, CO 80162-0243

• Colorado Railroad Museum www.coloradorailroadmuseum.org/donate-now

• Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum www.wingsmuseum.org/donate

Graveside Service Tuesday, August 27, 2024, 10:30 am, Fort Logan National Cemetery, area B. Reception 11:00 am, Horan & McConaty, 3101 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood, CO 80227.