Larry Edward Kunter was born March 17, 1945, in Monterey, California, and grew up in Walnut Creek, California. Larry was always an outgoing and adventurous person. As a kid he explored every environment as if he was in a western tv show. He saw it as his goal to bring humor and laughter to all places, especially the classroom, church, or other situations where one had to sit and be quiet. “Boring!” Larry never liked repetition; he was always looking for a new way to do something or a new adventure. Needless to say, Larry knew all the principals of his schools well. He fondly remembered growing up in The Boy Scouts of America and backpacking through Yosemite National Park in Northern California. As a teenager and then as an adult, he took pleasure in cooking and preparing meals for large groups of people, and in hosting parties and get togethers. He enjoyed fishing, camping, model railroading, visiting about theology, reading and learning whatever he could get his hands on. He was fascinated by astronomy and he would often have his family up late at night, or VERY early in the morning, to view meteor showers or look at the moon through his telescope. Larry was an avid supporter of art. He found great meaning and delight in creating, painting, drawing, sculpting, and observing art. His latest adventure was learning and playing the stock market.
As a grandfather, he doted over his grandsons. Every gift he got for his grandsons was something to help them learn, grow in knowledge, see the world in a new way, or explore something creatively. Larry never got the “box-store” gifts; he found websites with unusual, experiential, educational toys and books. He wanted to encourage them to explore their gifts and talents, and experience the world in a fun and adventurous way.
Larry graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music from San Francisco State University in 1969. This year he also married the love of his life, Martha Jane Jeffery on July 12, 1969. Their honeymoon took them to Louisville, Kentucky, for Larry to attend seminary at Louisville Presbyterian Seminary. Here he received a Master of Divinity degree on May 28, 1972. Larry accepted a call to serve a small church in West Yellowstone, Montana. While in West Yellowstone, Marti and Larry had two daughters: Victoria in 1974 and Charity in 1977. Larry cherished the eight years he served in “West”. He was deeply impressed by the land and the wonderful people there. He fell in love with this adventurous place and those he lived with and served with. Larry was active in the volunteer fire department and as an EMT. Larry loved cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, fly fishing on the Madison River, and visiting the geysers in Yellowstone National Park. Both Larry and Marti loved West Yellowstone and returned several times for visits.
In 1980, Larry was called by Boulder Presbytery to start a new church in the south end of Fort Collins, Colorado. Harmony Presbyterian Church was the result of these efforts. Larry continued to serve as the Minister of this church until his retirement in 2015. While serving at Harmony Presbyterian Church, Larry received his Doctorate of Ministry from McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago, Illinois, June 19, 1985.
Serving the people of Harmony Presbyterian Church was Larry’s livelihood, but not because it paid him. It was his livelihood because doing ministry at Harmony was what excited him. He woke up every day brimming with new ideas, new ways of doing things, and new energy. He thoroughly enjoyed helping people discover what gifts God had given them and encouraging them to develop those gifts. Larry saw the potential of people, and the potential for what church could become and what it could do for the world. Larry was also the pastor to countless men and women recovering from addiction. Larry saw the value in these men and women and helped them to see their own value and part in the Kingdom of God.
Harmony Presbyterian was Larry’s family. Over the 35 years in ministry at Harmony, Larry had the privilege of officiating countless weddings, baptisms, confirmations and funerals. He felt humbled and blessed to walk through these peak-and-valley moments with the people he loved and served. He also loved celebrating with them. Every Christmas we had a Chrismon tree and, of course, a nativity set so that the kids could play with the characters. He wanted Christmas to be experiential and hands-on. And who could forget that every Christmas Eve candlelight service began with Larry marching down the aisle carrying a fire extinguisher! Easter was a parade of colorful flags and celebratory music. Red Easter eggs were expected to show up and be placed in the giant basket in the front of the sanctuary. Every celebration and so many gatherings involved potlucks, barbeques, and CHOCOLATE!
Since his retirement in 2015, Larry and Marti have been worshiping in their new church home, Mountain View Presbyterian Church in Loveland, Colorado. Larry was blessed with new friends, meaningful worship, conversation in Bible studies, participating in bell choir, and the fellowship of believers.
Larry was devoted to serving his community, giving to others in need and most of all spreading the gospel and the love of Christ. He accepted people where they are in life, as well as where their relationship was with the Lord. Every conversation or meeting was an opportunity to introduce them to Jesus or to grow deeper in their relationship with the Lord. As a result he served on many boards throughout his lifetime including; United Campus Ministry with CSU, Interfaith Council, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate), Global Village Museum, he served as chaplain to the Poudre Valley Fire Department and Poudre Valley Hospital, and Good Samaritan Village. He served a term as chair of Boulder Presbytery, PCUSA. Larry was also active in Rotary, played clarinet in the New Horizons Band, enjoyed being part of the Model Railroad club, and assisted many Boy Scouts in receiving their God and Country badge. He continued his love of music by playing guitar each week in church, as well as singing in church choirs and playing in bell choirs.
Larry is survived by many family members who deeply loved him. Among those are his loving wife, Martha; two daughters, Tori and husband Lee Brumback, of Funkstown, MD; Charity and husband Chad Finnigsmier, of Grand Junction, CO; sister, Nancy Adkison, of Clarksville, TN; four grandsons, Timothy Matthew, Cole and Caleb.
We know that if you are reading this Larry has touched your life in some way. It is hard with the current issues of COVID to not be with one another. Until we can meet face-to-face, we ask you to please leave a message below of your special memories of Larry. We would love to read them. We would also like to invite you to join us in a celebration of Larry’s life on Saturday, October 17, 2020, at 11:00 am mountain time for a virtual memorial service. You are welcome to watch the livestream that day by clicking on the link below or by visiting Mountain View Presbyterian Church’s website, WWW.MYMVPC.COM, 10:00 pacific, 11:00 mountain, 12:00 central, 1:00 eastern. If you are unable to attend at that time, a link will remain on the MyMVPC.com site to view at any time. Service can be streamed through; https://youtu.be/iIpYTSpgNJ0 .
In lieu of flowers, we request that all gifts and donations be to either of two missions: Marion Medical Mission at www.mmmwater.org. Marion Medical Mission seeks to share the love of Christ with the extreme poor in Africa by providing all in need with a sustainable source of clean, safe drinking water. Or give to Solar Lights for Classrooms in Africa. This mission is run through the mission team at Mountain View Presbyterian. This provides money to get solar lights so that children can use them to do their school work in the evenings instead of by kerosene lamps, which are dirty, dangerous and expensive, and are responsible for high rates of childhood burns, respiratory infections, poisonings, and house fires. This allows students and their families to be healthier, do their work in the evenings after their chores and stay caught up with their school work. If you would like to give to Solar Lights for Classrooms please send an earmarked check to Mountain View Presbyterian Church, 2500 N. Garfield Ave, Loveland, CO 80538. These missions were close to Larry’s heart.
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