Mr. Larry Dean Pottorff

Larry Dean Pottorff passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on Wednesday April 5th, 2023, after bravely battling pancreatic cancer for 18 months. He was 68 years old and leaves a rich legacy of faith, hope, and love that will continue to bless his family, friends, and community, who will miss him dearly.

Larry was born on November 11th, 1954, in Burlington, Colorado. Larry was the youngest child in a loving family and grew up on the family farm in Stratton, Colorado. Growing up he enjoyed being a part of everything available to him which included: all kinds of sports, band, choir, school leadership, clubs of all types, and participating in 4-H and scouting. Some of his favorite summer memories include showing steers at the county fair with his brother as their father beamed with pride and love. Other childhood stories included all the great times during harvest, fair season, playing ball with his father and brother after a long day of farming, and going to the city every summer to enjoy a hotel with a swimming pool.

Larry’s most impactful story he told of growing up was when he made a decision to follow Jesus Christ as a young boy. His parents experienced loss early in life with the death of their first child that transformed their faith, which was handed down to each of their children. This pivotal faith decision was the foundation that Larry built his life on. You can’t separate Larry’s faith from the man he was, it was his guiding light, strengthening force and eternal hope. He lived out these scriptures everyday: “Love the LORD your God with all your heart, soul, and strength.” Deuteronomy 6:5 and “Serve one another humbly in love. Because we are free, we can serve others with love and humility.” Galatians 5:13.

Larry graduated in May 1973 as the valedictorian of his class and headed away to college that fall at Colorado State University to pursue a degree in anything that would help him serve others. It was at CSU that Larry would meet the love of his life, Janis Osborne, in 1975 and go on to marry her. After graduating with his bachelors in psychology Larry worked for a short time at a residential program for troubled youth in Arizona but felt Colorado calling him home. In 1978 Larry moved to Greeley obtained a position with Weld County Government working to help individuals seek employment and job skills. In 1983, Larry was hired for a temporary grant at North Range Behavioral Health to develop a vocational program for individuals with behavioral health needs. This temporary position evolved to become his place of employment for 39 years where he furthered his education to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and hold a variety of positions within the organization. Larry’s life and work philosophy, that everyone matters and has value, was integrated into all his efforts at work. He strived to provide avenues for those with less of a voice to have an opportunity to belong, be valued and find hope. Frontier House was inspired by the idea that individuals with mental illness recover by working and socializing together in a welcoming environment that emphasizes strengths, not diagnoses. This led Larry and a group of clients to found Frontier House in 1990. His career at North Range began with clinical work and progressed into administrative work, eventually becoming Chief Executive Officer. Staff and colleagues would refer to him as a leader working to serve the most vulnerable individuals and improve the state of mental health in Weld County and throughout the state. In a retirement interview Larry stated, “I am thankful Janis, and I could raise our family in Greeley and be a part of community and work at this innovative community mental health center for 39 years. It has been a privilege to work with many wonderful individuals and a talented, compassionate staff. I treasure the friendships I’ve made across the county and state.”

Larry married his college sweetheart Janis Pottorff on July 1st, 1979, and the couple settled in to live, work as social workers, and serve Weld County. Greeley is where they raised their three children, Jessica, Jake, and Clay. Larry was so proud of all his children and grandchildren and loved every moment he could have with them. There was no lack of a gentle hug, sweet smile, and unconditional love for his family. His greatest hope and fervent prayers for family was for each to know God and experience His love, peace, and joy. He prayed Joshua 24:15 as he started his family; “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!” He was so happy to have seen each of his children marry and be alive for the birth of all nine grandchildren.

Larry’s commitment to love and serve others extended beyond his employment. Throughout his lifetime he volunteered with numerous activities: coaching all types of sports, working at school events, and mentoring in youth programs. He volunteered at nursing homes to provide activities or adopt individuals that didn’t have family close by. Larry and Janis were active in Christian ministries their entire married lives, initially for teens, then young children and then with the Alpha ministry.

Larry did lots of public speaking in his work at meetings, legislature, and conferences but it was always stressful for him. It was at the Alpha ministry that Larry was most relaxed talking in front of people. He was known for his bad jokes, open mind, kind heart and accepting nature. Larry loved having the opportunity to share a meal and have a conversation with others about their struggles with faith, without any expectations or pressure. He rejoiced when someone experienced a new or deeper peace, comfort, and experience with God. Over the last 27 years this ministry gave the opportunity for hundreds of individuals a chance to explore a personal relationship with Jesus.

Larry is survived by his wife, Janis Pottorff, and their three children and nine grandchildren. Daughter, Jessica and her husband Ryan Paul, their children Lillian Rae, Jonah Samuel and Zoe Grace of Greeley, Colorado. Son, Jake and his wife Lauren Pottorff, daughters Kya Mae and Brynlyn Rose of Fort Collins, Colorado. And son, Clay and his wife Katelynn Pottorff, and their children, Harper Lynn, Hallie Rae, and twins Cameron Dean and Kellen James of Belle Fourche, South Dakota.

He is also survived by his siblings Diane Davis and Terry Pottorff and numerous sister and brother in-laws, nieces, and nephews. As he went to his eternal home in Heaven with Jesus Christ, he was reunited with his father and mother, Ernie and Vanetta Pottorff, oldest brother Gary Ray, and numerous family members and loved ones.

A Celebration of Life service for Larry will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, April 14th, 2023, at Christ Community Church, 1301 15th Street, Greeley, Colorado, 80634.

The family encourages random acts of kindness and donations in lieu of flowers. Larry was a generous giver of both his time and funds throughout his life. He felt it was important to find a way to give back. Larry would be blessed to know that you gave to any program that fed the hungry, sheltered the homeless, or any gift of hope. Here are a few of his favorite charities:

• Doctors without Borders: https://donate.doctorswithoutborders.org

• Alpha Colorado: alphausa.org/Colorado or

• Alpha at Christ Community Church: https://www.cccgreeley.org/

• UNHCR: The UN Refugee Agency: https://give.unrefugees.org/

• UNICEF: https://www.unicefusa.org/

• Feeding America: https://www.give.feedingamerica.org

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.stoddardsunset.com for the Pottorff family.