Larry Ray Kuchynka, age 71 of Miles City, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Saturday, February 11, 2017, after a short battle with cancer.
Larry was born on July 6, 1945 in Valley City, ND, the eldest of Henry & Shirley Kuchynka’s six children. The family moved to Miles City, MT when Larry was baby, where he attended school and made it his lifelong home. Growing up, some of his fondest childhood memories were of his summers spent on his grandparents’ farm back in North Dakota. In the 1960’s, Larry traveled across the state playing bass guitar in a local band called “The Lacers,” whose greatest claim to fame was starring as the opening act for Neil Sedaka. He later attended the police academy and served as a police officer in Miles City for several years. He began working at Doeden Construction in the mid-1970’s and later co-founded Unique Concrete in 1978, which went on to become an established business within the community for over three decades. Unique was recognized with several awards for their innovative concrete designs, including the cross at Calvary Cemetery as well as the concrete wall at Denton Field, constructed with their signature brick forms. He worked there until his retirement in 2012.
While working on the police force, Larry met Rebecca Kane and the two were married from 1976 to 1996. Through this union two of his greatest accomplishments were born: Kane in 1977 and Kally in 1979. Larry met Rhea Larson in 1999 and the two were married in 2004. Through this marriage he gained two more children in Angie and Shane. This “wild and crazy” blended family created several new and lasting memories for him. Larry was an active member of the community over the years and served in several roles in many organizations. He was a member of the Miles City Town & Country Club, the Eagles, the Montana Contractor’s Association and the Elks, to name a few. With the Elks he served as Exalted Ruler and State Chairman of the Drug Awareness Committee, representing Montana at the national level and meeting first lady Nancy Reagan. He also served as a member of the Miles City Police Commission for several years. He loved to travel extensively with his family and friends and created many special memories with his children. He and Rhea also met many new lifelong friends as they enjoyed traveling with the “Carroll crew” to watch Shane play football. He also loved watching his Montana Grizzlies and Dallas Cowboys. In his earlier days, Larry was an avid skier and golfer and was a proud member of the Hole-In-One club. He looked forward to annual hunting trips with his friends and always enjoyed a conversation over a cold beer. His other favorite pastimes included playing in the bridge league, crossword puzzles, reading and especially spending time with his kids and grandkids. He was a proud “Opa” and thoroughly enjoyed watching his family grow with each new grandchild. The family will always remember Bucking Horse Sale and holiday gatherings at the house in Miles City and time with family and friends on Canyon Ferry.
He is survived by his wife Rhea of Miles City; his son Kane (Melissa) of Bozeman, MT; daughter Kally (Ken) Haag of Arvada, CO; step-daughter Angie (Leif) Thorsen of Seattle, WA; step-son Shane (Anna) Larson of Helena, MT; parents Henry & Shirley Kuchynka of Miles City; his siblings: Gary (Jeanne) Kuchynka, Sandra (Jim Cook) Pearcy, Rick Kuchynka, Kathy (Scott) Pering and Cindy (the late Ron) Kiosse. Larry is also survived by his eleven adoring grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins, each of whom brought a special relationship to Larry’s life.
Memorial services will be held on Friday, February 17, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Miles City, MT. Interment will follow in the Custer County Cemetery. A reception will follow at the Miles City Town & Country Club. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society in honor of Larry. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: http://www.stevensonandsons.com.
Denise Harvey says
We are so very sorry for your loss. A wonderful man taken home way too early. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Denise and Jay Harvey
Mary Ann Stockhill Liles & Jim Liles says
Dear Rhea,
Our sincere sympathies are with you and Larry’s family. We will keep you in our daily prayers.
Jim & Mary Ann Liles
Rob Shipley says
Larry was quite a man and friend to all who ever met him. He once let me be his “mechanic” on an old tan 1949 Chevrolet he had entered in a bump and run. We won 2nd or 3rd and had a photo in the Star. Then he bought a new red Chevolet Super Sport with a 325 hp 396 and turbo-hydramatic transmission in 1966. I bought the car used after Larry traded it in. It was my “Navy active duty” car and I loved it. He had had the engine cammed with a camshaft from a 390 hp 427 which made his 325hp expand to about 365 hp. This was not an ethics affair, but, he raced it as “stock” in Belgrade and won FIRST PLACE in the “F stock” automatic class. I would give my right arm to have Larry’s super hot Super Sport back again.
Ken and Kristi Stein says
Dear Rhea and family, just know that you are in our Thoughts and Prayers. God be with you always.
Fred & Mary says
Rhea and family….we are saddened by the death of Larry! We pray that you find comfort in your memories and faith! Hugs and love to yours and Larry’s family!
Julie & Tyler Cook says
So sorry for your loss. Our prayers and thoughts go out to all of Larry’s family.
Julie and Tyler Cook
Bill & Mary Wills says
Sending special thoughts and lots of love to all of the family at this very difficult time. Bill and Mary Wills
Cari Williams says
Rhea and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I know he held a special place in all of your hearts. We will be thinking of you in the up and coming days, and sending hugs and prayers your way. God Bless
Norma Johnsgard says
Rhea, so sorry for your loss. A gentleman, for sure, taken away too soon. Thinking of you and Larry’s family during your time of mourning.
Phyllis Lindstrand says
Rhea and children:
I am deeply saddened to hear of Larry’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with each and every one of you. I will not be able to be there in body; but I will be there in spirit. Love to you all. Cousin, Phyllis Lindstrand
Dolores Meidinger Willson says
I’m so sorry Rhea. My heart aches for you and your family. May God give you comfort, Dolores
Pam Rogge says
Rhea and family,
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time. So often said but cherish the good memories – they will help immensely in the days ahead.
Love, Pam
Maureen Larson says
Rhea and family,
So sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers go out to both yours and Larry’s family. God’s blessings to all.
Sandi and Jim Updyke says
Rhea and family, we are so sorry to hear of Larrys passing. My mother( Nadine Holter ) had the pleasure of being his duplicate bridge partner for many years. He ALWAYS stood beside her even as her memory began to fade. God bless you all and know that Larry is looking over you all and getting in a bridge game too. ?❤
Joe says
So sorry to hear of your loss. Larry was a neat guy and a good musician. Will see him
again in the great band in heaven.
Joe Konkright
Catharine Houstoun says
We all loved Larry. He will be so missed. Much love to you all.
Bill & Proxy Christensen Hainer says
Bill &I thought a lot of Larry. Bill is a musician and Larry was too, but enjoyed him most when he was a Policeman. He had the nicest smile which will definitely be missed. Haven’t seen him much since we moved to Billings, but did see him at the first All 60’s Class Reunion. Even got a picture of Larry & Proxy.
God Bless his family! Knew most of his siblings.
Hazel Stabler says
Rhea, I am so sorry for your loss. I remember Larry playing bass guitar at jam sessions we had many years ago. Lots of fun and good memories.
Sharon & Stan Clelland says
We were so sorry about Larry and send our blessings to all of his family Hang onto your good memories and we pray God will give you strength to go through this. We will be out of town for appt. on Friday.. God Bless all of you
Dottie Johnstone says
So sorry to hear this Sandy, prayers to all.
Brian and Sharlene Wallace says
Rhea and family
I’m so sorry for your loss. We send love and hugs to you all. May the angels wrap you up in their protective arms. ❤
Ray and Terri Schmidt says
We were so sorry and saddened to hear of Larry’s passing. For 30 years, Larry was our concrete guy. We loved working and dealing with him. He was honest as the day is long and he couldn’t have been a finer man. You are all in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Bunny Miller says
Gary and I are helping my brother recover from surgery, so we won’t be able to come to he service, but our hearts go out to you and all the family. He was far to young in our opinion. Talk to you when we get back.
Ray and Sheri Clauson says
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families.
Peggy and Chuck says
Thinking of you Rhea and your families, loved playing bridge against Larry, always a great game! My your happy memories help in your days ahead of you!
Al Davis says
some of my fondest memories while living in Miles City were hanging out with Larry. He was a fun, fun, fum, friend and an all around great guy!!!!!!
Angie and Harvey ey says
Thoughts and prayers going out to all his family. Know he we be missed
Tara Bilharz says
Prayers and condolences to all Larry’s family and friends. He was an amazing person and he will be greatly missed.
Patsy & Harvey Kuntz says
So sorry to hear about Larry, prayers and hugs to you and your family.
Derf Bergman says
Prayers to you, Rhea, and to all of your family. What a great guy.
Deb Bartholomew says
Sandy and All The Families:
I was so very sorry to hear about Larry. God has gained a great Guardian Angel to look over all of you. He was truly an amazing man and will be missed by all who knew and loved him. Always remember “When A Loved One Becomes A Memory That Memory Becomes A Treasure”. Larry will always be a Treasure in your hearts and never forgotten. Treasure all the memories and good times as they will help get you through difficult days ahead. My thoughts and prayers all with you all.
mike atkinson says
Larry was a great friend of mine on the Miles C ity police dept. I was so happy to see the photo ofJohn Uden, Ed Curnan, and myself at one of our “reunions” at the service. I still have the oringinal photo!
I miss Larry very much, we used to try to get together a few times a year, I missed the last time for a BBQ, now I wish I would have made one more time! My thoughts are with you. He was a very good police officer .
Mike Atkinson
Chief of Police Laurel
Retired
Ann and Ron Roberts says
So very sorry, thoughts and prayers for you and your family, Rhea. Take care!
Jody Doubek says
Larry was one of the kindest men I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Always had that gentle smile. He was loved by so many and will be missed by all. Thinking of you all.
Les Christensen says
Sorry for your loss, I have known Larry since I was a child growing up on Missouri Ave, right across the street. I was there (helping) as only a boy of seven or eight can do. He was always patient and understanding trying to keep me safe while I was helping. God bless Larry and his family, my thoughts and prayers go out to all of you.
RICK KUCHYNKA SR says
MY DEAREST BROTHER LARRY; YOUR YOUNGER BROTHER RICK WAS NOT ABLE TO SAY GOODBYE. I WANT ALL TO KNOW MY BRTHER LARRY WAS A GREAT BROTHER ALWAYS ENJOYED LONG TALKS OVER A BEER WHILE GAMING. THE OLDER WE BECOME THE CLOSER WE GREW. WHAT AMAZED ME WAS HE ,AT A FOOTBALL GAME CAME OVER AND SAID “RICK I WISH I KNEW YOUR PROBLEMS SO I COULD HELP, THE ONLY ONE IN THE FAMILY TO SAW ME SUFFER AND UNDERSTOOD” THATS HOW GREAT HIS INSIGHT WAS. I KNOW YOU ARE WITH DAD AND I LOVE YOU SO DEARLY, LARRY.