Larry Dean Matulis

Larry Matulis was born July 10, 1956, to Coleda (Beard) Matulis and John Matulis in Lincoln, Nebraska.
From the very beginning, Larry shared a special bond with his grandfather, Claude Beard. His parents lived in the basement apartment of Claude and Grandma Beard's home, which made Grandpa and Larry inseparable from day one. That close connection shaped Larry's love for the outdoors. When Grandpa Beard later moved to an 80-acre homestead outside Baxter Springs, Kansas, Larry spent countless hours fishing at the two ponds, riding horses, and trying to outrun cows and geese.
Larry grew up with two sisters, Julie and Laura, who loved to pester him as only little sisters can. They were the three musketeers, always into mischief-whether it was lighting matches in the basement (which earned them all a spanking since no one confessed) or chasing down the homemade rockets Larry launched into the backyard field. Larry had a special nickname for Laura-"Fishface"-since she was always trying to give him kisses.
After his parents' divorce, Larry went to live with Grandpa Beard on the farm until his senior year of high school. He then returned to Lincoln and graduated in 1974 before enlisting in the United States Air Force.
During his time in the service, Larry was stationed at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, where he worked in Mission Control with the SKED missile program in partnership with the Israeli government. Later, he transitioned into telemetry, contributing his expertise to several major aerospace projects, including the Challenger program.
Larry took immense pride in his work at Vandenberg-launching missiles, tracking flight data, and being part of something bigger than himself. His years there reflected not only his technical skill and curiosity but also his deep appreciation for exploration and innovation. It was one of the proudest chapters of his life and set the foundation for his lifelong passion for aviation and space.
That passion was deeply rooted in his childhood and strengthened by the influence of his step-grandfather, Danny Goodson, husband to Frieda (Coleda's mother). Known affectionately as "Mom and Danny," they played a major role in Larry's life. Danny, a retired Air Force veteran who worked for Piper Aircraft, introduced Larry to deep sea fishing and further fueled his fascination with flight. For Larry, Julie, and Laura, Mom and Danny were the equivalent of "Yaya and Pops" to the next generation.
Larry later met the love of his life, Barbara, in 2002 on the Santa Barbara pier-a fitting place for two people who shared a deep love of the ocean and the outdoors. From that first meeting, their connection was effortless, built on laughter, curiosity, and an adventurous spirit. They were married on July 17, 2004, and shared over two wonderful decades together, creating a life filled with love, exploration, and lasting memories.
Together, Larry and Barbara found joy in the great outdoors. They especially cherished their yearly hiking trips to Yosemite National Park, where they explored trails, breathed in the mountain air, and marveled at nature's beauty side by side. Whether they were hiking, camping, or setting off on ocean adventures, their time together was filled with laughter, wonder, and gratitude. Barbara also shared Larry's love for aviation and photography-she was often by his side as he captured the world through his lens, preserving moments that would later become cherished family treasures.
Barbara was not only Larry's partner in adventure, but also his greatest support through every chapter of his life. Her love grounded him, her laughter lifted him, and together they built a bond that will live on in the countless memories they created and the family they nurtured.
Larry was also an avid marksman and proudly served as a Gun Range Master, sharing his skills and passion with others.
Family meant everything to Larry. His mother and stepfather, Stephen J. Schwaller ("Pops"), rarely missed one of his birthdays, no matter where he lived. They made a point to travel and celebrate with him, often bringing grandchildren so the cousins could grow close. Larry and Pops shared a remarkable bond, and Pops was more than a stepfather-he was truly his dad.
During her final days, Larry's mother, Coleda, was asked what she considered her greatest achievement. Without hesitation, she replied: "Giving birth to Larry. He was, and will forever be, the greatest thing I've done."
Larry carried that same perspective throughout his life. He often shared with his own children that they were the greatest gift and blessing he had ever received, and he hoped that one day they, too, would experience that same kind of love.
Larry had three wonderful children: Katherine, Callie, and Nick. One of their favorite pastimes growing up was building and launching model rockets with their father-an activity that captured his love of creativity, adventure, and spending time together.
He introduced his children to the outdoors with glistening eyes, watching with delight as they fell in love with nature through annual camping trips to Lake San Antonio, backpacking adventures in Yosemite, and ocean excursions on Mr. Boat. He taught them how to persevere, how to bait a hook, how to love deeply, how to be curious and to wonder about the world, how to notice and appreciate the little things, and, perhaps most memorably, how to be incredibly sarcastic in the best way.
He was also always behind a camera, capturing moments in time that his family will forever hold close to their hearts.
He was also blessed with three amazing stepchildren: Kristen, Eric, and Ashley; his son in law Nick, his cherished grandchildren: Caleb, Rylee, Aubree, Jaxson James (JJ), Zoey, and Aurora; and his step-grandchildren: Isabel and Mikayla.
He is preceded in death by his granddaughter, Rylee Guerrero, his stepfather, Stephen J. Schwaller, and his mother, Coleda A. Schwaller.
Larry will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend whose love of family, adventure, and the outdoors touched all who knew him.
Memorial Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday October 8, 2025, at Grace Church, Rupert, Idaho with Pastor Travis Turner. Arrangements are under the direction of Joel Heward Hansen Mortuary.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Larry Dean Matulis, please visit our floral store.