Larry R. Alden, 79, of Sheridan passed away Saturday, April 27th, 2019. Larry was born August 13th, 1939 in Sheridan, WY. He graduated from Sheridan High School in 1957 and took great pride in playing football and setting the school record for the discus throw his senior year. Larry enjoyed playing and watching all sports, racing stock cars in his younger, wilder years, played 5 decades of rawhide basketball, and enjoyed his daily workouts at the YMCA. Later in life he could be found in the bleachers cheering on his Broncs and Lady Broncs. In 1965 Larry began his insurance career as a sales representative. With hard work and dedication he established his own insurance company and proudly served the community for 40 years.
Although he enjoyed his insurance career during the week, he was notorious for his weekend adventures with his friends and family, most notably at Tongue River Reservoir. Everyone felt “Big Lar” had 9 lives but we all know he lived many more than that. His most infamous mishap was a plane wreck in the Big Horn mountains in October 1971 while spotting elk. Larry crawled out in a snow storm in work shoes, slacks, no coat, and several injuries. Other adventures included a whitewater rafting accident on “the river of death” in Alaska, boating mishaps at the reservoir, hunting escapades in the mountains, and was famous for getting his pickup stuck up to the axles because he felt “that is what the winch was for!” Larry loved his dogs as much as his family, friends, and his Budweiser. Larry was a member of the Presbyterian church and served his community well through the Lions Club, Elks Lodge, and Ducks Unlimited.
Larry was preceded in death by parents Maeola and George Alden, children Thomas Edward Alden and Jennifer Lynn Alden, brother Bruce Alden, and wife Betty L Alden. Larry is survived by siblings Georgann, Delbert, and Debbie, his children with former wife Sandra L Alden: daughter Julie (Curt) Dahlin, son David (Toni) Alden, son James Alden, daughter Brenda (Mark) Miller and six grandchildren: Ashley Alden, Justin Smith, Lauren Alden, Davis Alden, Alyssa Miller, and Mariah Miller.
A visitation will be held from 6:00 – 7:00pm on Friday, May 3, 2019 at Kane Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, May 4, 2019 at Kane Funeral Home with Pastor Randy Sawyer officiating. Burial will be in the Elks Memorial Cemetery with a reception to follow in the Kane Reception Hall.
In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to the Sheridan Dog & Cat Shelter at 94 East Ridge Road, Sheridan, WY 82801 or The Sheridan High School Booster Club, 1056 Long Dr., Sheridan, WY 82801.
Online condolences may be written at www.kanefuneral.com.
Kane Funeral Home has been entrusted with local arrangements.
