Captain Larry Daryl Wineteer
April 29, 1947 to May 3, 2024
This is written to celebrate Larry’s love of laughter.
Larry D Wineteer was born a bright, funny and smart(aleck) kid. He loved to play sports, ride bikes and make people laugh. Nothing much changed as an adult except he had to pay taxes.
Here are the Larry D facts. Pay attention, there may be a “Pop’s” Quiz at the end. Larry was born April 29, 1947 to Royal Rodney and Shirley (Naylor) Wineteer (both deceased). He had two brothers, Ronald Royal (and Linda Fellowes) Wineteer (both deceased), Richard Warren (and Cindy Wasserburger) Wineteer and one sister, Karen “Peachy” (Steve) Wineteer Liebentritt.
He’s survived by the two children he believed the sun rose and set on: Thomas Daryl (Billie Jo LeGear) Wineteer and Laura Renee Wineteer. His grandchildren that kept him young and laughing are: Katelyn Angel Taylor LeGear, Luke Thomas Wineteer, Ashton Kyle LeGear, Cody Michael Wineteer, Hannah Joy Wineteer and one on the way, Isaiah Wineteer.
Now we have the amazingly true – with maybe an exaggeration or two – facts of the life and times of a unique character. Larry was always a talented athlete. He was proud to be a member of the 1962 Chadron (NE) High School State Championship Football team, back when they used a boulder instead of a ball. It was very hard. (This is a bona fide Larry joke.)
After graduating college with honors, he enlisted in the US Air Force. He was a proud pilot of the C130 aircraft, flying numerous fascinating and dangerous missions in his 22 year career. Captain Wineteer was honorably discharged in 1994 with many honors and distinctions.
After his military career, he still chose to serve his country by teaching ROTC and Junior ROTC for Northridge High School in Layton, UT. He also taught Aerospace Science for the Davis County School District. The students he taught were a source of great pride for him. He spoke about them often and knew they would do great things.
Larry had so many interests. He dreamed of playing basketball on every Air Force base in America but his photography was where he really stood out. He had a way of telling whole stories with just one photo, capturing images in ways both engaging and charming.
He had a stroke on his 77th birthday and passed away four days later. There were a lot of prayers and memories during those days and the ones following. We lost more than a dad, brother, friend, teacher. We lost a true patriot. Someone who served his country with distinction while still successfully raising a family, helping those who needed him and leaving smiles in his wake. Maybe that’s how he should be remembered, with a wink and a genuine smile.
There will be a Celebration of Life on July 13, 2024 at the Solemn Mule Creek Shelter at Chadron State Park.
We will miss him.