Larry Gubbels
DOUGLAS, Wyo. — Larry Gubbels, 75, died Jan. 8, 2018, at 2:32 a.m., at Memorial Hospital of Converse County, Douglas, Wyo., surrounded by his loving family.
A Vigil for the Decease was Jan. 12 at Gorman Funeral Homes-Converse Chapel, Douglas.
Funeral liturgy was Jan. 13 at Saint James Catholic Church, with Father Bill Hill as the Celebrant. Inurnment was held at the Douglas Park Cemetery with military honors accorded by Samuel Mares American Legion Post #8 and Wyoming Army National Guard Military Funeral Honors.
Serving as urn bearers were Korinn Smith, Hannah Woster and Bailey Woster.
Serving as honorary pallbearers were Jerod Gubbels, Adam Gubbels, Chris Gubbels, Scott Gubbels, Paul Loberg and Marvin Nordhues.
The Gorman Funeral Homes – Converse Chapel of Douglas, Wyoming was in charge of the arrangements.
Larry was born June 18, 1942, the son of Cyril Jerome and Mary Catherine (Sauser) Gubbels and grew up on a farm outside of Randolph. Attending all his schooling at Saint Francis Catholic School, he graduated high school in 1960. In high school, he became a well known athlete playing basketball and baseball. He carried his love of sports throughout his life. Larry served proudly in the United States Army from 1962-1964, mainly stationed in Germany. He married his best friend and love of his life, Barbara Louise Sukup, Dec, 29, 1964, at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, Osmond. They had two children, Martin and Mary and recently celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary.
To Larry, family came first and was followed closely by a deep commitment to his faith. Community, friends, business, farming, sports, and the University of Wyoming were also valued highly. After working many years with the Kansas/Nebraska Gas Company, Larry was given an opportunity to relocate with the company. Larry was given the opportunity to sell cars at the local dealership, Rogers Ford, and after many years of hard work, Larry and Barb bought the dealership in 1989. Throughout the years of owning the dealership, he was actively involved in the community, especially the Douglas and Glendo schools, where he donated a pickup to the FFA chapters each year.
Larry was a member of the Ford Dealer Advertising Fund and Wyoming Auto Dealers Association. He was on the WADA board from 1991-2000 and was President of the Board from 1998-1999. In 2004, he represented Wyoming with the Time Magazine Quality Dealer of the Year award.
Locally, Larry was active and served with the Elks Club, the Samuel Mares American Legion Post #8, Douglas Moose Lodge #602, and Kiwanis. He served many years on the Foundation Board of Memorial Hospital of Converse County, Senior Citizens Center board of directors, Saint James Catholic Parish and the Douglas Community Country Club.
In 1978, Larry campaigned and won a seat on the Douglas City Council, serving one year as interim Mayor. Larry was awarded the man of year in 1982 by the Douglas Chamber of Commerce.
Larry was appointed by former Wyoming Governor Mike Sullivan for the Wyoming Insurance State Board. He was also appointed by current Governor Matt Mead to a spot on the University of Wyoming Board of Trustees.
Larry had a great love of all sports including basketball, baseball, football, golf, and trap shooting, just to name a few. He shared his love of sports with his children. In the 1960’s, Larry secured his license to referee basketball in Nebraska. He was a Wyoming Cowboy football and basketball season ticket holder from 1979 to this last year of his life.
With trap shooting, Larry spent many years growing the Douglas Trap Club, involved with 4-H and other local shoots. He spent his retirement years traveling and shooting trap with other fellow shooters and was inducted into the Wyoming Trap Shooters Hall of Fame in 2014.
Larry spent many years going on an annual elk hunt in the Spread Creek area above Togwotee Pass in northwest Wyoming. With the help of friends, Larry went on a hunt and bagged his last elk in January 2017.
He retired Dec. 31, 2006. The next ten years were spent traveling with Barb in his beloved motor home and shooting with other fellow shooters.
When Larry was not traveling, he was playing cards at the Country Club or at home.
Larry was preceded in death by his father, Cyril, Sept. 30, 1998; mother, Mary, Dec. 26, 2003; and one sister, Beverly Loberg.
Survivors include his wife, Barb Gubbels, Douglas, Wyo,; son, Martin and wife, Leslie Gubbels, Torrington, Wyo.; two step granddaughters, Hannah Woster and Bailey Woster, both of Torrington, Wyo.; daughter, Mary Gubbels and her fiance, Jim Stewart, Douglas, Wyo.; granddaughter, Korinn Smith, and great-granddaughter, Jaya Smith, Cheyenne, Wyo.; and siblings, Eugene Gubbels, Lincoln; Rosalee Nordhues, Randolph; Laverne Gubbels, Omaha; Roger Gubbels, Kansas City; Mo.; and Patrick Gubbels, Norfolk.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to Saint James Catholic Church, P.O. Box 1500, Douglas, Wyoming 82633, or to the University of Wyoming in care of the Gorman Funeral Homes-Converse Chapel, P.O. Box X, Douglas, Wyoming 82633 would be appreciated by the family.
