Larry Killin
John Lawrence “Larry” Killin was born Oct. 13, 1941, in Kiowa to John C. Killin and Alberta LaVonne Morris Killin. He died April 13, 2020, at Melissa Memorial Hospital in Holyoke. Larry resided at Regent Park Nursing Home for the last year of his life.
Larry grew up in rural Elbert County with his parents and brother Loyd. He enjoyed spending time on the Morris farm/ranch in Elbert County with his maternal uncles and cousins. The family later moved to Denver, but he never gave up his love of spending time with family on the ranch. Larry attended school in Kiowa through his sophomore year. He later obtained his GED in 1967.
Larry married Earla “Kay” Bullard in 1960. They had two children, Brenda Lynn and Troy Dean. Larry and Kay later divorced. While in Denver he drove a truck for US Welding until 1980, at which time he and the children moved to Holyoke and he married Judy DeJong Johnson. While they later divorced, they remained friends as Judy would visit him in the nursing home upon his return to Holyoke.
Larry enjoyed trucking and working on trucks. He and his close friend Dennis started a diesel mechanic shop when Larry moved to Holyoke. Larry later went to work for the Phillips County Sheriff’s Office and then the Phillips County Road Department. He ultimately retired in 2004 as a site manager for Seaboard Foods in Holyoke.
Larry loved ocean cruises and was fortunate to have taken several with friends and family. He loved watching NASCAR on TV and going to the races. He enjoyed a good card game, a cold beer and telling stories about his childhood antics.
Larry was preceded in death by his father, John; mother, Alberta; and brother, Loyd.
He is survived by his daughter, Brenda and her husband Dan Cullen and his children Delaney, Jacob and Taylor Cullen; son, Troy and his wife Kimbra; and grandchildren, Austin and Vivian Killin, Alyssa Killin and Cade Killin.
Due to coronavirus restrictions, a graveside service with primarily family members was held April 20 at the Holyoke Cemetery with Pastor Jeremiah Krieger officiating and was livestreamed on Baucke Funeral Home and Monuments’ Facebook page.
Baucke Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements.