Northern Wyoming News - Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years

Larry Dean Bear, 81-year-old Worland resident and former Buffalo resident passed away in Greybull, Wyoming on February 25, 2020.

Larry was born in Hulett, Wyoming on April 20, 1938 to Clarence Lee and Miriam Louise (Bay) Bear. In 1961 he met Rose Sparre in Moorcroft and the couple was married on June 23 that same year in Rapid City, SD. They made their home in Moorcroft until 1965 when they relocated to Casper, Wyoming. They moved to Buffalo, Wyoming in 1970. Larry, along with brothers, Chuck and Eldon "Jiggs" worked for Black Hills Bentonite for most of his career.

In 1981, Larry and Rose decided to make their home in Worland to be closer to family. In 2001 Rose suffered a stroke. Larry was by her side, every step of her recovery. Even after her illness the couple continued to be avid campers and loved to fish. Larry didn't find the joy in camping or fishing after losing his beloved Rose in 2010.

One of his favorite pastimes was playing cribbage, driving around the local countryside, seeing the sights and taking in the beauties of Wyoming. He was a simple, honest, hard-working man with simple tastes and pleasures. He held deep appreciation for the important things in life, namely family, friends, and personal integrity. Other than the normal comforts of life, material things were not important to him. He was a competent mechanic and loved to tinker on cars. He taught that skill and passed on the passion for old cars to his son. Larry always had a ready smile and a hand-out to help anyone who needed it.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Rose in 2010; daughter, Shannon Frasier in 2001; granddaughter, Codi Frasier; brothers, Eldon, Sherman, Harold, Charles; sisters, Meda Gross, Ethyle Nicolen, and Betty Carlton.

Survivors include his son, Thomas D. (Stacy) of Centennial, Colorado; sisters, Sally (Don) Davies of Basin, Wyoming, Ellen Ethridge of Bertha, Colorado; sister-in-law, Mavis Bear of Worland; grandchildren: Tyler (Sara) Bear of Spring Creek, Nevada, Sarah (Dan) Leonesio of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Toni (Dan) Marzullo of Colorado Springs, Colorado; great-grandchildren: Jonathan, Emma, Anastasia Rose, and Lily Mae.

Funeral services were held 1:00 p.m. Monday, March 2, 2020 at the Crosspoint Baptist Church – Big Horn Campus (formerly First Baptist Church) with Pastor Jess Rollema officiating. Burial followed at Riverview Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Worland Senior Center and sent to PO Box 524, Worland, WY 82401. Online condolences may be made at http://www.bryantfuneralhomeonline.com.