On Friday, Jan. 8, Lawrence O. “Larry” Welty passed away peacefully at the Platte County Legacy Home in Wheatland of heart failure.
Larry was born in Chugwater on Friday, April 15, 1932 to Merlin and Shirley (Arbogast) Welty. He graduated from high school in Chugwater, the class of 1950, where he met his wife, Alma M. Jenkins.
At the onset of the Korean War, Larry joined the United States Air Force and served in Clovis, New Mexico. The Wyoming Air National Guard called him and he moved to Casper where he worked for 21 years for the Wyoming Air National Guard and retired a Chief Master Sergeant.
Larry then worked at the Exxon Highland mine as a heavy equipment mechanic, then Engine Service in Casper. He moved to Phoenix, Ariz. and worked at Lockheed and later Dyne-Air fuel service at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport for the next 20 years.
He retired and moved back to his home town Chugwater, where he enjoyed fishing and hunting in Wyoming. He was a member of Masonic Lodge #23, Shriners, and American Legion Post #75. He was also a longtime member of the Chugwater Museum and Chugwater Historical Unity Group.
Larry was preceded in death by his wife, Alma and his parents.
He is survived by his son, Lawrence Welty Jr. (Ellen) of Tempe, Ariz. and daughter, Laura Costy (Louis) of Fort Collins, Colo. He leaves three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters, Ferol Hitt (Roy) of Wheatland and Audrey Jarvis (David Sneesby) of Casper.
Gorman Funeral Homes – Platte Chapel of Wheatland are in charge of the arrangements.
Condolences can be left for the family at www.gormanfh.com.
