He has gone to the blind in the sky, where the skies are always open, and the hunting is forever good.
Larry Lee Golden passed away on July 5, 2025 at the age of 86. He graduated from Sidney High School. Larry was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather. An avid fisherman, a passionate duck hunter, and the master of decoy placement. He was a man who found joy and peace in the great outdoors.
Larry’s memory will live on through generations with “stories told in the duck blind of the greatest hunter there ever was" -well that’s what he would say, anyway, with a big smile on his face. He had an ability to tell the same story over and over again but made it better each time. You couldn’t help but laugh at his jokes because he would laugh at them first. That laugh will be missed by all who were blessed enough to hear it.
Larry was known for many things; his unwavering devotion to family and friends, and a duck call that could, on occasion, sound suspiciously like a goose in distress. He could spend hours in a blind talking with his hunting buddies exaggerating stories, usually involving fish that were” at least THIS big” and talk about weather conditions “so cold that his nose hair froze walking to school as a kid uphill both ways.” He had a unique way of decorating just about everything he could. His house, yard, mule, truck and even his pond where he put upside down mannequin legs in it with flippers. The picture actually made it into The National Geographic Magazine. He was so proud of that. He was the kind of hunter who measured success not just by the number of ducks on the truck, but by the quality of the company, the beauty of the sunrise, and the sheer joy of being in the great outdoors. He had a knack for finding the “honey hole”. Teaching numerous kids about hunter safety and giving them the experience of shooting their first bird. Larry’s dedication extended beyond the hunt itself.
He was an advocate for conservation understanding the importance of preserving the wetlands and wildlife habitats that were so dear to him. He was also the President of Ducks Unlimited for years. He shared his knowledge and passion with others, mentoring younger hunters and instilling in them a respect for guns, and the environment we used them in. He always said “This is not our land, we are just borrowing it.” He was a master of the river. Knowing the flight paths where the birds were going just by living by the river’s rules. His legacy will live on through all of us, not only through stories about him but in the sound of the wind moving through the trees and the beautiful songs of nature around us. He was truly an unforgettable man, and if we stop and take the time to look around, I’m sure he will remind us of his presence every day.
“How kind is it that most of us will never know when we have fired our last shot.” – Nash Buckingham
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife Pat of North Platte, NE; daughter and son, Gwen Golden and Bernie (Kellie)of North Platte, NE; grandchildren, Jessica (Ryan) Kettler of Albuquerque, NM, Sophia (Jon) Klein and Mollie (Josh Bedlan) Golden of North Platte, NE and Hadley (Sadie) Golden of Hastings; great grandchildren, Jayden, Karmella and Margo Klein, Ava Bedlan, Griffin and Poppy Golden and Bryson and Madyson Kettler; siblings; Janelle (Mike) Finney of Seneca, NE, Tommy (Connie) Golden, Donna Golden of North Platte, NE and Rex (Luann) Golden of Sidney, NE; and numerous other family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by parents, Orvin and Rea; a son, Eugene Golden; brother Duane Golden; sisters, Nila Sutton and Cheryl Golden.
Please bring your duck calls to the service. Afterwards we would love to call him home.
Memorial Service will be at 2: 00 p.m. on July 18, 2025 at the First United Methodist Church with Pastor Mike Evans officiating.
A Memorial Book Signing will be from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on July 17, 2025 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. Memorials made be made to the Maxwell Gun Club and Maranatha Camp.
Carpenter Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements. Online condolences and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.carpentermemorial.com.