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Clifton “Larry” Garner passed from this world on Friday, May 8, 2026, surrounded by family. Larry was born May 18, 1945, to Otis George Garner and Pearl Alice (Mc Clendon) Garner at Community Hospital in Durango, Colorado. He was God’s gift to Pearl at her age of 45. His father succumbed to severe injuries received from a mining accident in December 1945 when Larry was six months old, never knowing his father.

Larry graduated from Ignacio High School in 1964. He was a true proud Ignacio Bobcat. After graduation he worked in the then town gas station owned by Tommy and Janet King. In July 1965, he began his career with the Colorado State Patrol as a dispatcher assigned to Durango. Upon reaching the age of 21, he applied and was accepted into the CSP Academy. After graduation from the Academy, he was assigned to Leadville. In 1971 he transferred to Grand Junction and remained there until 1978 when he transferred to Bayfield, Colorado, returning home for the rest of his CSP career. Larry retired in 1993 as a technician with over 28 years of service.

During his career with Colorado State Patrol and many years of cooperative work with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, in December 1992, Larry became the one and only CSP Trooper to be a Commissioned Officer with the Southern Ute Indian Tribal Police Department. An honor he held with great gratitude and pride.

After retiring from Colorado State Patrol, Larry began a new career being the first employee with the Sky Ute Casino as the Security Manager. He set-up and developed the Security Department alongside Mark Torres, Assistant Security Manager which Larry always said was the super team. Upon leaving the Sky Ute Casino, Larry continued with another employment with Hocker Construction. His decision to finally fully retire after a few years with Hocker Construction from public work, Larry settled into ranching on the home place where he spent many years growing up on.

In 1987, Larry met Debbie Renick. They married July 7, 1988, at Vallecito Lake. They moved to the Ignacio home place in September 1992 from Bayfield where they have remained together during 38 years of a beautiful marriage.

Larry was known by so many in the Ignacio community. He loved people and little children. His greatest joy was giving out beautiful peacock feathers to children gathered from the ranch. The joy and amazement on their little faces gave him such happiness. Larry was a pillar of the community known by many nicknames. Papa, Uncle Larry, “Chief”, Red Rider 1… too many to tell. Words that best describe Larry are honesty, truthful, helpful, giving, selfless and most of all loving.

Larry is preceded in death by his parents Otis G. and Pearl A. Garner; brother Otis A. Garner, and sisters Bettie Young and Iola Lousie Hankins. He is survived by his wife, Debra Garner and grandchildren, Hunter Neil and Aspen Rose Vocke.

Services will be Monday, May 18th, 10:00 AM at Pine River Valley Baptist Church, 11942 SH-172, Ignacio, Colorado 81137. Viewing will be from 9:00-10:00 AM for those that would like to pay their respects at the church. Interment is at Pine River Cemetery, County Road 501, Bayfield, Colorado 81122.

After the burial, the Family invites everyone to come to a celebration of life and a meal at Spring Creek Community Hall, 8273 CR 334, Ignacio, Colorado 81137 to share memorable moments with Larry.

In lieu of flowers, the Family requests consideration of donation on behalf of Larry to the Spring Creek Community Association, c/o of Valerie Borge, PO Box 1308, Bayfield, Colorado 81122 OR Hospice of Mercy, 175 Mercado St., Suite 131, Durango, Colorado, 81301.

Larry will be dearly missed by many. Rest in Peace.