Larry's Obituary
Larry Lucero passed away at his home on March 30, 2024. He was with his wife, Peggy, and his daughter, Marlee. A celebration of life will take place on June 8, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. in Great Falls at the Hub at Great Falls High School.
Peggy and Larry were married for 59 years. Larry first saw Peg in the Paris Gibson lunchroom and thought instantly that she should be his girlfriend. They began officially dating during their freshman year of high school. Larry was immediately accepted into Peg’s family, and her parents took care of Larry like he was their son. When they graduated in 1962, the Great Falls High School paper, The Iniwa, asked the question, “Will Larry and Peggy ever break up?” The answer, of course, was no.
Larry was a standout athlete at Great Falls High School. He was an all-state basketball player, and his 1962 team won the state championship under Ray Dodds. Larry went on to play basketball at Montana State University and was a member of the 1964 Big Sky Championship team.
Peggy and Larry graduated from MSU in 1966 and returned home to Great Falls to begin their teaching careers. There are many former students around town that still state Mr. Lucero was their favorite teacher, and some of you may remember classes such as Anthropology and World History. He was mentored by his teaching partner and friend Ben Lundquist.
Larry began coaching basketball right away, and this quickly became his passion. Larry had several assistant coaching positions throughout his career, with his most influential being under Don Kramer at the College of Great Falls. In 1986, Larry became the head girl’s basketball coach at CMR, where he won a state championship his first year at the helm. Larry went on to coach the Great Falls High Boys from 1990 - 2003, winning state championships in 1994 and 1995. One of Larry’s fondest memories was being able to coach his son on these two championship teams. He was very proud of the bond these teams had and how close the players have remained. Larry was elected to the Montana High School Association Coaches Hall of Fame in 2018.
Aside from being a teacher and coach, Larry’s other career was being a partner with Pete Gilligan in “Pete and Larry’s” where the pair ran the concessions at the city golf courses and Legion Park. They were able to employ many students, with one stating “he was the best former boss a girl could have.” Larry always found ways to surround himself with his friends whether it was at the ballpark, the golf course, or the cabin in Augusta. He also was very fond of giving his little brother, Gary, a hard time. Larry, Gary, and Beez shared a love of the Dodgers.
Larry and Peg had three children, Lori, Marlee, and Beez. Larry loved to support his children in their various activities. Whether it was watching Lori play her flute or Marlee and Beez on the basketball court, he never missed an event. The true capstone to Larry’s life was his grandchildren, Keaton, Morgan, and Taryn. Larry felt that his grandchildren could accomplish anything and loved to travel around and watch all of their events and follow their endeavors. Of all the parts of his life, the time spent with his grandchildren was his most cherished.
Larry is survived by his wife, Peggy; his children, Lori, Marlee, and Beez (Sara); grandchildren, Keaton, Morgan, and Taryn; brother, Gary (Rhonda); sisters, Sherry and Terry; sister-in-law, Judy; honorary son, Dave Nowacki; former son-in-law, Chad Sunchild, many nieces and nephews; and many very close friends.
Larry was preceded in death by his father, George Lucero; his mother Polly; stepmother, Connie; mother-in-law, Helen Urbanitch; and father-in-law, Archie Urbanitch
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his name to the Great Falls Public School Foundation.
