Larry Golden Obituary

Larry L. Golden

May 3, 1939 - July 5, 2025

He has gone to the blind in the sky, where the skies are always open, and the hunting is forever good.

Larry L. Golden passed away on July 5, 2025, at the age of 86. He was a dedicated husband, father and grandfather. An avid fisherman, a passionate duck hunter, and the master of decoy placement. He was a man who found joy and peace in the great outdoors.

Larry's memory will live on through generations with "stories told in the duck blind of the greatest hunter there ever was." Well, that's what he would say anyway, with a big smile on his face. He could tell the same story over and over again, but made it better each time. You couldn't help but laugh at his jokes because he would laugh at them first. That laugh will be missed by all who were blessed enough to hear it.

Larry was known for many things; his unwavering devotion to family and friends, and a duck call that could, on occasion, sound suspiciously like a goose in distress. He could spend hours in a blind telling exaggerated stories with his hunting buddies, usually involving fish that were "at least THIS big" and talk about weather conditions "so cold that his nose hair froze walking to school as a kid uphill both ways." He had a unique way of decorating just about everything he could. His house, yard, mule, truck and even his pond, where he put upside-down mannequin legs in it with flippers. The picture made it into the National Geographic magazine. He was so proud of that. He was the kind of hunter who measured success not just by the number of ducks on the truck, but by the quality of the company, the beauty of the sunrise, and the sheer joy of being in the great outdoors. He had a knack for finding the "honey hole." He taught numerous kids about hunter safety and gave them the experience of shooting their first bird. Larry's dedication extended beyond the hunt itself.

He was an advocate for conservation and understanding the importance of preserving the wetlands and wildlife habitats that were so dear to him. He was also the President of Ducks Unlimited for years. He shared his knowledge and passion with others, mentoring younger hunters and instilling in them a respect for guns and the environment in which we use them. He always said, "This is not our land, we are just borrowing it." He was a master of the river. Knowing the flight paths where the birds were going just by living by the river's rules. His legacy will live on through all of us, not only through stories about him, but in the sound of the wind moving through the trees and the beautiful songs of nature around us. He was truly an unforgettable man, and if we stop and take the time to look around, I'm sure he will remind us of his presence every day.

"How kind is it that most of us will never know when we have fired our last shot." – Nash Buckingham

He is preceded in death by his parents; son, Eugene; brother, Duane Golden; and sisters, Nila Sutton and Cheryl Golden.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Pat of North Platte; daughter and son, Gwen Golden and Bernie (Kellie) of North Platte; grandchildren, Jessica (Ryan) Kettler of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Sophia (Jon) Klein and Mollie (Josh Bedlan) Golden of North Platte and Hadley (Sadie) Golden of Hastings; great-grandchildren, Jayden, Karmella and Margo Klein, Ava Bedlan, Griffin and Poppy Golden and Bryson and Madyson Kettler; siblings, Janel (Mike) Feeney of Seneca, Tommy (Connie) Golden and Donna Golden of North Platte and Rex (Luann) Golden of Sidney; and numerous other family members and friends.

Online condolences may be shared at carpentermemorial.com.

Memorial service is at 2 p.m. Friday, July 18, at the First United Methodist Church with Pastor Mike Evans officiating. Please bring your duck calls to the service. Afterwards, we would love to call him home. Memorial book signing is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, July 17, at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in charge of arrangements.