Larry Ray Hunzie, age 74, passed away at South Lincoln Medical Center on Sunday, Jan. 14, with his family by his side. He was born on Jan. 31, 1949, in Kemmerer, to Fern and John Hunzie. He grew up in Frontier with his two brothers, John and Gary.
Larry attended Frontier School from first to sixth grade. He then attended Kemmerer Junior High and graduated from Kemmerer High School in 1967. While in high school, he worked in the meat market at Quality Foods. Under the guidance of Ted Roberts, he became a very good meat cutter and had many customers who would specifically ask for him to cut their meat.
After graduating high school, he worked in the grocery store as a meat cutter full time until he was drafted into the U.S. Army He served in the U.S. for a time and in Vietnam for a year. Upon returning home, he returned to Quality Foods as a meat cutter.
While there, he met Mary Frances Kirkwood, who was working during the summer. A relationship began and they were married in January of 1971. To this union Mark Ray and Jennifer Anne were born.
He loved spending time with them camping in Wyoming, traveling across the U.S., to Disneyland, both Atlantic and Pacific oceans, Washington, D.C., Nashville, Atlantic City, and more — such wonderful family memories.
When Quality Foods closed, Larry began working at Skull Point Mine. While there, he was active in the United Mine Workers and became president of their local, fighting for better working conditions for his fellow workers. He worked there for over 20 years and, when Skull Point closed, he worked at the Kemmerer Coal Mine for over 10 years.
After retirement, he and Mary Frances were blessed with two grandchildren, Kylee Anne and Hunter Keith Batista. Trips to Tuachan in St. George and Las Vegas for musical performances were looked forward to also.
Playing croquet, badminton in the backyard, shooting hoops in the front driveway, and hiking through the Tetons were always better with Grandpa. His grandchildren brought so much joy to Larry, and he loved them so much.
Larry loved stream fishing and looked forward to trips to Allred Flats each summer. He was an avid walker and tried to get his walk in each day. He was a real handyman and kept his home and yard in tip-top shape. Trips to Laramie for Wyoming football games were a yearly treat, and he loved following Josh Allen with the Buffalo Bills.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Frances; a son, Mark; daughter, Jennifer (Kylee and Hunter); brothers, John (Sally) and Gary (Dee Dee); and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his dad, John; and mother, Fern.
He was a great husband, father, brother and grandpa, and he will be deeply missed.
Mass of Christian burial was celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 19, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Kemmerer, followed by inurnment at the South Lincoln Cemetery in Kemmerer with full military honors.
