Larry R Henderson

On Friday, December 16, 2022, Larry Robert Henderson left this earthly world the same way he lived in it – peacefully, patiently and with grace. A true Coloradoan, Larry loved the mountains and all the beauty of the Aspen groves, winding streams and roaming wildlife. He spent endless hours driving through the mountains and neighborhoods of his home state. “When I look back at my youth, I most frequently reflect on the times spent with my dad on the bank of a mountain stream. It was here where he taught me, my sister and brother to patiently sit, listen and fish in the deep pools between the rocks,” recalls his eldest daughter, Shelly.

Larry was born on July 15, 1939, in Boulder, Colorado to Emma and Elijah Henderson. He was the second son and younger brother to Donald, who was eight years his senior. The family lived for many years in Medford, Oregon on the Bear Creek Orchards of Harry and David. He told stories of “smoking the orchards” as a child, working alongside his maternal grandfather, Stanton Quaife. Throughout the years, he shared his early love and appreciation of hand picked fruits, giving gifts of Harry and David pears, apples, grapefruit and peaches from Colorado orchards along the Western Slope.

After many years in Oregon, the family moved back to Colorado where Larry attended Littleton Junior and Senior High School and pursued his lifelong love of music. He played trombone, baritone and piano and sang in high school and church quartet groups and choirs. A founding member of the nine-piece Bee Bops, Larry and his band played at local school dances in the Denver suburbs and even traveled as far as Kansas to perform. After graduating high school, Larry attended Colorado University and was a proud member of the marching band. Carrying on his love of music, Larry sang in a madrigal quartet that celebrated the holidays in full Elizabethan regalia, joyfully heralding, “God rest ye merry gentlemen, let nothing you dismay.”

In 1963, Larry married his high school sweetheart, Judith Kay Sowell. While serving in the US Army reserves, he began his career by managing Allen Creamery for Mayor Charles Allen of Englewood, Colorado. It was Charles Allen who motivated him to be a businessman. “Larry was never afraid to venture into a different business. He was a good manager and an excellent businessman. He was so pleasant which helped him achieve success in anything he tried,” recalled his friend of 69 years, Kenneth Koptich.

Larry and Judy bought land outside of Pinecliff, Colorado. Their custom built, dream house had cathedral ceilings and two stories of picture windows overlooking the beautiful Colorado woods, which Larry spent countless hours protecting from Colorado wildfires as a volunteer fire chief. Their home hosted epic gatherings with family and friends, with friends celebrating just enough to dare walk the support beam high over the living room. But the heart of the home was the family they were growing with the adoption of daughters, Shelly and Dene, and the surprise arrival of their son, Devin. Though their hearts remained in their mountain retreat, Larry and Judy moved their family to Loveland, Colorado to raise their family–without Larry's 3-hour daily commute.

A gifted people person, Larry enjoyed learning about people and hearing their stories. His personability led to his successful real estate career as a salesman for Moore, Signature and the Sadler Group, before landing at The Group Inc., where he helped grow the company. Eventually, Larry and Judy opened their own company, growing Henderson Management and Real Estate into the largest property management company in Northern Colorado. “You catch more flies with honey than vinegar,” son Devin recalls his father telling him over the years. His positive attitude was evident and helped lead to his success and strong community connections.

Members of the First Christian Church of Loveland, Larry and Judy touched many people in the community. Larry served as president of Loveland Sertoma, YMCA, and local Board of Realtors and regional Housing and Urban Development manager. His deep connection to people continued throughout his life. In his later years, he kept a diary of conversations with people he met in his community to facilitate thoughts and conversations from day to day.

“Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.” John Quincy Adams.

Always able to diffuse a situation by bringing calm guidance, Larry was graceful, patient and devoted to his three children who each grew into thriving adults with families of their own. He naturally took to his role as “Papa '' and was passionate about spending time with his eight grandchildren, Brittney, Lizzy, Kenzie, Hayley, Holly, Costas, Aleka and Blake. He rarely missed an opportunity to attend a grandkid event and was always taking them on adventures. Larry visited all but four of the 50 U.S. states. After Judy passed, Larry continued to travel taking his granddaughter on a month-long trip across the west-northwest.

Larry always portrayed friendliness, kindness, and grace. “My dad demonstrated the qualities in life that I most want to mirror in myself,'' reflected Dene. Larry was preceded in death by his wife Judith K. Henderson. He is survived by his three children, Shelly (Dimitrios) Tzoumas, Dene (Ryan) Hovet and Devin (Jodi) Henderson and eight grandchildren, Elizabeth, Constantine and Alexandra Tzoumas; Brittney, Makenzie, and Holly Dandurand; and Hayley and Blake Henderson.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Loveland Sertoma in remembrance of Larry Henderson. At Larry’s request there will not be a service.