A Memorial Mass for 76-year old Larry Gold, who grew up in Chadron, NE, will be held Monday, Oct 10, 2022, at 10:30 CT at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Bellevue, NE. Â
A video of the Mass will be available at boxcast.tv/view/larry-lee-gold-np58m3apigivjcqzpyuo
Inurnment with military honors by the Nebraska Army National Guard Honor Guard and American Legion Post 374 will be Wed, Oct 12, at the Omaha National Cemetery in Omaha. Larry was a veteran of the U-S Army.
A reception for friends will be held Sunday, Oct 9, from 1:30-3:00 at St Mary’s Catholic in Bellevue, followed by a Vigil Service at 3:00. A video will be available at boxcast.tv/view/larry-lee-gold-kuwhpmxjmijypr2jtz7v
Memorials are suggested to St Mary’s Church Knights of Columbus Council 6192, or St Mary’s St Vincent DePaul Society.
Larry Lee Gold was born Feb. 23, 1946, in Chadron and died Oct. 6, 2022, at the family home in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Larry Gold was an all-state football player and track and field standout at Chadron High School, graduating in 1964, and was inducted into the Chadron State College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1985. In 1968, he became the first Eagle to rush for 1,000-yards in a season.
Larry was 6-foot, 200 pounds in high school when he rushed for at least 1,900 yards, averaged 5.3 yards a carry, and scored 252 points. He earned Class B 1st-Team All-State honors as both a junior and a senior, and played fullback in the Nebraska Shrine Bowl in the summer of 1964.
Larry’s track and field exploits may have been even more impressive as he broke 8 records at various meets including all 3 of his events at the Rangeland Conference Meet. He also set the Class B state meet record in the discus with a mark of 158 feet, 3 inches and placed 3rd in the shot put at 56- ¾ as a senior.
Larry then attended Chadron State, but as a sophomore was kicked off the football team for smoking. He returned to the team in 1967 and rushed 135 times for 681 yards.
He was even better in 1968 as he carried the ball 214 times for 1,126 yards and 10 touchdowns as the Eagles had an 8-1 record, their first winning season in 9 years. Larry received 1st-Team All-District and Honorable Mention All-American honors as a running back while also subbing in at linebacker.
When he graduated, he held the CSC single-season rushing record and was #2 on the career rushing list. He remained in the top 10 for career rushing for over 40 years and is still in the top 15.
In 1966, Larry married Susan Lecher – a union that lasted 56 years. The couple moved to the Omaha area Immediately after Larry graduated from Chadron State in December 1968 as he joined the faculty at Bellevue High School.
His tenure there was interrupted the following summer when he was drafted into the Army. He served two years, including a year as a clerk-typist dealing with medical records for several branches of the military. He received the Joint Service Commendation Medal.
After being discharged, Larry rejoined the Bellevue Schools and spent 34 years there as a business teacher and guidance counselor before retiring.
He spent much of his time in retirement as an exceptional wood carver, having developed that skill largely self-taught over 30 years or so. He specialized in mountain men, Native Americans, and Western figures.
Larry Gold is survived by his wife Susan, daughter and son-in-law Carla and Rob Leuck, and grandchildren Beau and Ivy, all of Bellevue. He is also survived by his sisters Betty Staal and Linda (Charles) Strauss, both of Chadron; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents Carl and Vergie Gold; brother Bud Brooner; sisters Erma Lewellen, Verna Lecher, Eloise Downey, and Barbara Hollrah; and by 3 nephews.
Bellevue Memorial Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements for Larry Gold.