LARRY GENE BACHMAN

1953 - 2023

LARRY GENE BACHMAN Larry Gene Bachman, 69, died February 15, 2023 at Baylor St. Lukes Medical Center in Houston, Texas surrounded by wife and daughters. He was born April 24, 1953 at Bethel Deconess Hospital in Newton, KS to Weldon (Bud) and Arline (Young) Bachman. Larry is preceded in death by twin brother Jerry Bachman, sister Vicki Bachman, parents Arline and Weldon (Bud) Bachman. Larry is survived by his wife Valorie (Bogunovich) Bachman of Newton, KS;. Brother, Randy (Shannon) Bachman of Hesston KS; children, Jay Bachman of Rhinelander, Wisconsin, Melissa McCann of Lawrence, KS, Melinda McCann of Wichita, KS, and Brandi (Derrick) Garnica of Newton, KS; Grandchildren, Malik McKinney (McKenzie Parsons-McKinney), Kali, Kale and Max Degenstein, Emerson, Grayden and Lennon Oswalt, and Cole and Isla Garnica along with many nieces and nephews. Larry graduated from Hesston High School in 1971. He followed the wheat harvest during the summers of his high school years and after graduation. In Larry's early working years he loved his bartending gig at the Legal Tender in Newton where he made many friends, and probably a little bit of trouble, and then worked at Hesston Corporation in Hesston, KS. He later followed in his father footsteps becoming a fireman for Newton Fire/EMS, a career he loved. The stories he told from his days at the station were always one of his favorite topics. He would laugh so hard we would have to remind him to breathe, the kind of laughter that always sent everyone else into tears because it was often funnier than him trying to get the story out. He later worked in aviation at Boeing and Learjet for many years and then finished his working career as a cross country truck driver for Moridge Manufacturing in Moundridge, KS, of which he retired on October 31, 2021. He enjoyed seeing parts of the country that he had never seen before and made lifelong friends with all the dealers and sales reps. It was because of this Larry always knew the best roads and routes to take and was always more interested in the journey than the actual destination of everyone's trips. Larry was a devoted husband and father. He married Valorie in July of 1983. Together they raised four children and had a big hand in the upbringing of their grandchildren. Larry was a very talented man, he was the car guy for his family and the fixer of all things. His greatest joy's were his "71" blue pickup which was always a work in progress and he was a member of the Newton Car Club. You could find him cruising Main on Friday nights, or at any local car show. His children and grandchildren brought endless joy to him, and he had a true zest for life. He loved summer nights of barbecuing while sitting on his porch with family and friends with a cold beer in hand. He also enjoyed his bourbon on cold winter nights and a good Nascar race. Any chance he got he would ride his Lectric eBike up to 10 miles a day and walk his dog Baxter several miles on the bike path, making friends with everyone along the way. Larry enjoyed watching his grandchildren play soccer, football, basketball, baseball and cheerleading and teaching them everything from riding bikes to working on cars. He was always their biggest fan and they all looked for grandpa in the stands. He was lucky that he was able to attend the wedding of his oldest grandson Malik when he married the love of his life Kenzie in October of 2022. He was so proud of the accomplishments of his kids and grands, his smile always let you know that. Saturday evenings were saved for church at New Spring Church in Wichita followed by dinner with their friends who attended the same church. A gentle man, with a kind heart, loving soul and infectious smile, he will be deeply missed by all of his family and friends. We encourage anyone who has a story or memory they would like to share with the family to email them to brandi.garnica@gmail.com. Larrys Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 18th, 2023 at The American Legion in Newton, Kansas from 3-7pm.