Monte Vista resident Stephen “Larry” Abeyta passed away on Oct. 26th at 9:15 pm at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction CO. He was surrounded by his angels and his wife by his side.  Larry was born on Sept 1, 1949 in Saguache CO to Zacarias and Amada Abeyta. He grew up in Saguache and attended school there, graduating in 1967. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he attained the rank of Sergeant. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton, Okinawa and Quantico Virginia. After his Honorable Discharge, he returned to Saguache where he married Mitzy and had two children, Adam and David.

Larry grew up working alongside his father in the hay fields, potato fields, cutting poles, hauling coal and anything else that you could haul in a semi-truck.  He eventually worked with his Brothers also driving trucks. Over the years he worked for the Saguache County Road department and then retired from CDOT in 1986.

Larry never met a stranger and could talk to anyone for hours. Genealogy was one of his passions and loved the research and speaking to people about it.  He had a love for friends, family and the outdoors. Hunting, fishing, camping and riding ATV’s were some of his favorite things. Larry loved sharing his passion for sports with kids. He volunteered to coach or video whenever he could. But the most favorite was spending time with his grandkids. He would drop everything to spend just a moment with them. Traveling miles and miles for their church and school functions. But knowing Larry the way everyone does, watching his grandkids play sports was probably what he enjoyed most.

Larry was a member of The Marine Corps League, Military Order of The Devil Dogs and the American Legion and St. Joseph Catholic Church in Monte Vista.

Larry is survived by his wife Mitzy, sons - Adam and David. His grandchildren Bethany, Raygen, Elijah, Kylie, Ezequiel and Augustine.  Brothers- Joe, and Alex (Linda) of Saguache, Raymond (Francis) of Colorado Springs, Tim (Kim) of Denver. Sisters - Lee Abeyta of Aurora, Charlotte Silverthorne of Canon City, Sandy (Lowell) Heinrich of Rapid City SD. Numerous nephews and nieces.

Preceded in death by his parents, brothers - Eugenio, Orlando, Tony, David Norman, sisters - Emilia, Eva, Rosalie, Yolanda.

A Vigil Service with Recitation of the Rosary will be held on Thursday, November 4, 2021 at 7:00 PM at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Monte Vista. A Mass of the Resurrection will be held on Friday, November 5, 2021 at 10:00 AM also at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Monte Vista. Interment will follow at the Chicago Cemetery in Saguache. To leave online condolences please visit romerofuneralhomes.com. The care of arrangements has been entrusted to Romero Funeral Home of Monte Vista.