Obituary of Larry Dean Gleason

Larry Dean Gleason February 04, 1956 - October 29, 2014 Service to celebrate the life of Larry Dean Gleason, 58, of Lovington, NM will be held on Saturday, November 29, 2014 at 2:00 pm at First Baptist Church in Lovington with Ryan Bleyenberg and Danny Kirkpatrick officiating. Burial will follow at Resthaven Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Kirby-Smith-Rogers Funeral Home. Visitation will be held on Friday, November 28th from 10:00 am until 8:00 pm at the funeral home with the family in attendance from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm. Larry was born on February 4, 1956 in Hobbs, NM to Beal and Dean Gleason. He passed away on October 29, 2014 at University of Colorado Hospital in Denver, following a long illness. He grew up on the Gleason Farm east of Lovington and from an early age, shouldered man-sized responsibilities for the livestock, irrigation and alfalfa hay harvesting. A 1974 graduate of Lovington High School, Larry played football and was active in choir, including solos in the musical variety show “Up, Up and Away”, still remembered by FaceBook friends. He attended New Mexico State University, majoring in agriculture and police science. In 1978, he married Judy Wallace, whom he called “the love of my life.” After moving back to Lovington, the couple had two children, Kel and Kyla. Larry recently told his sister he wanted to be buried in the tux he wore at their wedding, saying “It was the happiest day of my life.” Larry enjoyed almost any activity that included travel and being outdoors. He especially loved hunting, fishing, camping and vacationing with his family. His eyes danced when he talked about the next time he would see his two grandchildren. Larry hoped to eventually get well enough to take a leisurely tour of the USA and Canada in his camper. He was a licensed plumber and gasfitter and over his 30-year career, he worked for several local plumbing and heating companies. He was preceded in death by his father, Beal Gleason and an infant older brother, Stuart Gleason. He is survived by his mother, Dean Gleason, his former wife, Judy Wallace Gleason and his son, Kel Gleason, all of Lovington; his daughter and son-in-law, Kyla and Ryan Bleyenberg and two grandchildren, Abigail Gene and Timothy Dean, all of Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada; three sisters: Sue and husband Lou Grounds of Denver, CO, Jeanne Gleason of Las Cruces, NM and Patty and husband Ken Borgert and their children, Nathaniel and Natalie of Pretoria, South Africa; Also, Sue’s step-daughters and their families: Heidi and Randy Stewart and children, Zachary and Samantha, and Heather and John Kennedy and children, Evan and Jocelyn of Colorado. In lieu of flowers, friends may contribute towards the expense of international travel for the families of Larry’s daughter and sister to attend the funeral. Cards are welcomed for Dean Gleason at 4918 East Ave D, Lovington, NM 88260.