Hoss50 Report post Posted March 8, 2015 Lawrence R. Huntington passed away yesterday about 4 PM Colorado time at the age of 96. He was the father of 4 and the grandfather and great grandfather of many. He lived his life as a rancher and farmer outside of Durango CO. He lived a full life and was known for being as personable and loving as he was tough and strong. He lived in a house built in the 1800's at the nearby Fort Lewis CO. He and his family disassembled 2 houses from the fort and moved them by wagon to there ranch and built 1 new house. He didn't have the luxury of things like indoor plumbing until late in his life. He was a tough old man that I had the pleasure of knowing for about 10 years. He was my wife's grandfather and the great grandfather of my son. My next son who is due in about 2 weeks will carry the first name of Lawrence in memory of a great man he will never get to meet. Lawrence was drafted in the US Army during World War II. He served in the European theater for several years earning the rank of Sergeant First Class before his release from duty. He was assigned the the 2nd Armored Battalion and was the NCO in charge if a group of anti-aircraft half track vehicles. One of the last conversations I had with him he told me he was in charge of roughly 115 men. Until a few years ago nobody was even aware he received the Bronze Star among other medals while in Europe. He would never speak of how or why he received it. A nurse at the VA hospital mentioned seeing that he earned a Bronze Star and my mother in law heard. He would never talk about it though. The man was an inspiration and example of what hard work is. He worked harder every day into his 80's and early 90's then many "men" these days will ever ever work once in there life. Lawrence, you will be missed by many, and you have touched the lives of more than you will ever know. Harley 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mattys281 Report post Posted March 8, 2015 Dang shame to lose the good ones. Im sorry for your family's loss, it sounds like a real blessing just to have known him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mocha1545 Report post Posted March 8, 2015 Great tribute to a Great Man! Americas greatest generation? We are losing them too fast! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tjhunt2 Report post Posted March 8, 2015 So sorry for the family's loss. My deepest condolences. They don't make them like that anymore. Thoughts and prayers for family and friends. TJ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hoss50 Report post Posted March 9, 2015 Thanks guys. I am very blessed for getting to be able to know him for the time I did. Some of my wife's best memories are spending summers out on his ranch for weeks at a time flood irrigating and cooking for all the help during cattle round ups and hay cuttings. He was a prime example of the kind of man this country is missing more and more these days. I pray I can explain what kind if a man he was to my sons. If they even half way understand and follow his lead they will be fine in life. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
joe hunter Report post Posted March 9, 2015 I would hate to see what this country would have become without men like him, they made it great. R.I.P. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesWhitetail Report post Posted March 9, 2015 You and your wife were obviously blessed to have him in your life. Thanks for sharing your tribute to him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
naturebob Report post Posted March 9, 2015 Bless his soul. My dad is almost 95 and i know time is limited . They don't make em like that any more. Living thru the great depression and WW II is something none of us can imagine. Sorry for Yor loss of a Great Man......BOB! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites