Patrick A. Lara

A Tribute to a Life Well-Lived

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Patrick Alphonse Lara "Pat", who parted this world on 5/10/25 at the age of 95.

Born on 3/17/1930 in Pueblo, CO, Pat was the eleventh of 12 children born to Manuel and Josefina Lara; a total of five girls and seven boys. Sadly, Pat’s mother died when he was two years old. The family moved to Rye where Pat was raised by his sisters and brothers. Pat was a standout basketball player at Rye High School. Pat married Iris Avon Becher, his high school sweetheart in 1950. Shortly after, he joined the Navy during the Korean war. After his Navy discharge, Pat enrolled at Pacific Lutheran College and earned a bachelor’s degree in education. Pat worked a variety of jobs to support his family and collaborated with close friends on several business ventures in Washington and California. He found his niche in education where he started as a teacher and rose to school principal before his retirement from the El Centro School District in El Centro, CA. During his career journey, his four daughters were born: Kathleen, Kristie, Lori, and Linda, collectively known as the “Lara Girls.”

Pat and Iris returned to the home of their youth in Rye, Colorado after Pat’s retirement. They built their dream home on the side of Decker Mountain. There they lived happily with family and friends. Pat was forever helping friends and family, opening his home, chopping down trees, plowing the roads in winter, hunting, and selling peaches. He was known as a man of faith and demonstrated Christian values by being loving, forgiving, compassionate, and generous to all who knew him.

Sadly, Pat’s wife, Iris, died in 2015. Love was found again when he reconnected with Nedra Vandruff-Chapman, a cousin of Iris he had known in his youth. Pat and Nedra married in 2016 and later moved to Pueblo. Both Pat and Nedra remained gracious and positive while experiencing the health challenges that come with aging. Pat’s daughters are eternally grateful to their dear cousin, Michael Simonton, who provided devoted loving care to Pat in his final years.

Pat is survived by his wife Nedra, daughters Kathleen (Andrew), Kristie (Robert), Lori (Scott) and Linda (Tom), each of whom will carry forward the lessons and love he imparted throughout their lives. Pat is also survived by sister, Tina Koukol; eight grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Pat was preceded in death by his first wife, Iris Avon Becher; sisters Anne Decker, Becky Arrigo, Viola (Simmie) Thorpe, and Delores Johnson; brothers Albert, Ernie, Pete, Henry, Eddie, and Chuck Lara.

A service to celebrate the life of Patrick will be held on Friday, June 20, 2025 at King of Kings Lutheran Church, 2561 Vinewood Lane, Pueblo, Colorado beginning at 10am with a reception following at 11am. Friends and family are invited to gather and share memories, honoring the extraordinary life of someone who was truly one of a kind.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to Sangre de Cristo Community Care, who provided compassionate care to both Pat and Iris in their last days.

Though Pat may no longer walk among us, his spirit lives on through the lives he touched and the love he shared. As long-time friend, Larry Bender, said, “He was small of stature, but he was the biggest man I ever knew.”

Daddy, you will be missed beyond measure but never forgotten!

Online condolences at DavisMortuary.com