Larry Dean Werts

1963 - 2023

LARRY DEAN WERTS

March 7, 1963 - June 17, 2023

Peoria - Larry Dean Werts, age 60, passed away at his home after a brief battle with Pancreatic Cancer on June 17, 2023.

Larry was born in Bakersfield, California on March 7, 1963, the second child of Bonnie and John Werts.

Larry's childhood was filled with riding his bike in the oilfield bluffs, family summer camping trips to places like Yosemite, Bass Lake, Yellowstone, cross country trips to see family and playing board games with his friends and family. One of Larry's favorite past times as a child was to torment his sister Julie and her friends.

Larry married the love of his life and his soulmate Karen on July 7, 1990. Larry had one son, Kyle Werts, and a daughter Kelsey Young. One of Larry's biggest joys was attending Kelsey's basketball games or Kyles's hockey games. Once computer games became popular Larry and Kyle could often be found playing games after dinner. Most recently Larry loved being called Papa by his twin granddaughters Millie and Liza.

Larry had a keen eye for detail and a wicked sense of humor that showed itself as a one liner that came out of nowhere. His friends and co-workers could always tell by the twinkle in his eye that he was about to say something that would leave everyone laughing.

Larry graduated from North High in 1981, he was enrolled in the ROC program where he really developed his passion for working on cars. Upon graduating he attended Arizona Automotive Institute and became a Certified Master Automotive Technician. He began his career with the Kern County General Services Garage as a Service Worker 1 and continued to work his way up to eventually being named as the Fleet Services Manager. Larry was very proud of his work overseeing 2,500 vehicles for the County. His career with the county spanned 33 years.

Upon retiring from the County Larry and wife Karen moved to Arizona where he began a second career as a trainer and implementor for a fleet management software company for 6 years and most recently for Midwest Heavy Duty Trucking in fleet administration.

Larry had ridden motorcycles since he was a young boy but in 2010 Larry and Karen purchased a full-dress touring bike and then the fun and traveling really began. There were short trips to the California Coast or Sierra mountains and long hall trips with friends to Yosemite, Yellowstone, Glacier National Park, Crater Lake, a trip down the entire west coast, San Antonio, New Mexico, Jackson Hole, Wy and so many, many more. Being on the bike with Karen behind him was his happy place for sure.

Larry was preceded in death by his mother Bonnie Werts, grandparents Amos and Sylvia Cole, John and Ada Werts, and other beloved relatives.

Larry is survived by his wife of 33 years Karen (Cummiskey) Werts. His son Kyle Werts, daughter Kelsey Young, her husband Kevin Young and twin granddaughters Millie and Liza Young. His father John Werts, sister Julie Griffith(Mike), nieces and nephews Daniel Griffith (Sally), Patrick Griffith (Melanie), Allison Griffith, Melissa Robertson, and Joseph Griffith (Jessie). In-laws Carl (Bud) and Shirley Banks, sister-in-law Susan Koppers, and her husband Mel Koppers. And many more Aunts, Uncles, Nieces and Nephews.

May the road you're riding now be smooth with sweeping curves, beautiful views, and the sun at your back. Until we meet again to ride 2-up, your Riffraff and soulmate, Karen.

Interment service, Friday, July 28, 2023 at 10:00 AM, Greenlawn Northeast, 3700 River Blvd at the Hope Tower.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Gary Sinise Foundation or any veterans charity, a hospice organization or a charity of your choice.

www.bakersfield.com/obits