Larry Dean Thirsk,

Age 86, died peacefully surrounded by family on January 27, 2025, at his home in Colorado Springs, CO after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2018.

He was born on July 14, 1938, in Wichita, Kansas, to Pansy Marie and James Lester Thirsk.

He married Jacqueline Kay Osborne on June 2, 1961, in Atchison, Kansas, after meeting at “The Hilltop,” a place they loved to go dancing, after knowing each other for only six months! They loved each other fully, and he worked hard to provide a loving and stable home for his family. His devotion to Jackie was unwavering.

They were blessed with two beautiful children a son and a daughter, Kevin and Heather. Their life took them to beautiful Colorado where they bought a house and began to raise their family.

Larry loved the outdoors and most of the time his family tagged along! Whether it was cutting firewood, hunting, fishing, camping you name it they did it. He especially loved four-wheeling and high mountain places. He would take us on roads that would make most people cringe. None of these roads were very wide, and most of the time, our tires were right on the cliff edge, but he would creep slowly up those rocky roads. To this day, I truly believe he got a kick out of scaring us kids in the back seat. Many of these roads ended with no real place to turn around. Dad would find a spot and make us all get out until he safely turned around. The views were stunning and we all had fun bouncing around in the cab. I am pretty sure we were never buckled in! Oh, those were the days!

Larry worked as a Telephone Lineman with Mountain Bell in his early years and then with AT&T. He eventually became a Supervisor for AT&T and before retiring, worked inside NORAD managing their communication systems. After retiring he just couldn’t sit around the house, which led him to start working part-time for Phil Long Ford driving their courtesy shuttle, and for his close friend Greg Budwine, shuttling trucks and cars at Performance Plus driving. 

Larry and Jackie have been members of Security Christian Church, now Pikes Peak Christian Church, since 1975. They both had a passion for Christ and serving, instilling the same heart for service into their children and grandchildren.

Larry was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, his parents, and his sister. He is survived by his children: Kevin Thirsk and wife Jennifer of Security, Colorado, and Heather Newby husband Bryon of Centralia, Washington. Five grandchildren, Chelsea Thirsk of Bend, Oregon; Brianna Newby of Yelm, Washington; Kylee Wooten and husband Jesse of Clarksville, Tennessee; Luke Thirsk of Security, Colorado, and Noah Thirsk (USMC) currently serving Berlin, Germany. Four Great-Grandchildren: Maximus (9), Ryder (6) (Brianna Newby); Boone (15mo) (Kylee and Jesse Wooten), and Elias (3) (Luke and Destinee).

His Celebration of Life is planned for Thursday, February 13th at 11:00 am at Pikes Peak Christian Church with Pastor Ross Frisbee and Rick Dettling officiating.