Lawrence (Larry) Wayne Gunn, 83, lifelong resident of Colfax, passed away peacefully at Sereni Care Adult Family Home in Colfax on Friday, April 4, 2025.  Now he is basking in the glory of his Lord and Savior.

Larry was born July 7, 1941 to Wayne and Rosena (Baldwin) Gunn in Colfax, WA.  Although he was their only child, he grew up with a large extended family surrounded by many aunts, uncles, and cousins, as Wayne was one of 10 children and Rosena was one of 9.  Consequently, reunions and get-togethers were common occurrences, and from his parents, Larry learned to value family and treated many as such even if not blood-related.

Larry's times at Colfax High School were very happy ones, graduating from CHS in 1959, which was the last class to graduate from the old high school located on Mill Street.  His favorite activity while at school was, of course, basketball.  He was known to many as "Gunner", and he told countless stories about his team, their successes, and especially his teammates.  To the end, he never understood why the hook shot (his signature move) faded out of the game.  After high school, he was on a Columbia Basin College championship team of the Washington State Junior College Association, playing for two years there with incredible teammates.  Those were some of his favorite years, and those teammates were among his most cherished, lifelong friends.  He continued his successful basketball career by playing two seasons at Eastern Washington State College, but out of commitment to family, he felt the farm calling him home just one quarter short from completing his psychology degree from Eastern.

His work ethic was evident in how he sought to put himself through college, putting in hours driving school buses and doing janitorial work.  After college, he served in the Army National Guard and worked some odd jobs in addition to helping on the farm.  While working in Spokane, he met Carolyn Phillips, who would become his first wife on June 30, 1966.  They made their home in Colfax where he joined his dad in farming.  There they raised three children—Teresa, Shawna, and Jim—mostly on the farm on Union Flat towards Dusty.  As a farmer, Larry was a hard worker and good steward of his land.  Those days and years were filled with farm work, piano playing, following his kids' activities, serving in different roles in his church, and continuing to play basketball.  While there wasn't much time for family vacations, great memories were made for his kids.  They all have very fond memories on the farm, going to church on Sundays, listening to his piano playing and singing, spending time with extended family, and lots of sports activities.  Basketball remained a huge part of his life, as he continued to play in tournaments, competitive city leagues, rec leagues, noon ball, and Sunday afternoon pick-up games for many, many years, and ended his playing days with a tournament for seniors in Utah in 2008 at the age of almost 67.  But as much as he loved to play the game of basketball, he probably enjoyed coaching it just as much.  Over the years, he coached youth boys, youth girls, AAU teams, assisted his friend at CBC one season, and coached for many years at CHS as the assistant girls basketball coach.  He loved the game, he loved to teach the game, and he loved the relationships that he built with his players.

He also found a lot of joy in music, whether that was playing the piano and singing at home, or singing in church, with the Praise Singers, or as part of a gospel quartet.  He loved his music from the '50s and '60s, and this included listening to the old 8 tracks in his '74 Lincoln.  There's no doubt music helped him through some difficult times in life, like ending his own farm in 2006 that he had with his son-in-law Jeff.  After a divorce in 2007, he continued to stay busy working, coaching, following his grandkids' sports and other activities, and serving on the boards at Farmington State Bank and the Friends of Hospice.  He sought a companion for these later years, marrying Emily DeMots on October 23, 2010, his second wife until a divorce in 2024.

Larry told his family that he wanted to be remembered for farming, coaching, and his music.  He has certainly accomplished that, and much more.  Larry is survived by his children, Teresa Gunn of Colfax, Shawna (Jeff) Kneale of Colfax, and Jim (Carol) Gunn of Dubuque, Iowa; six grandchildren, Kindra (Steve) Neprud, Jared Kneale, Matthew Gunn, Ella Jane Gunn, Colton Kneale, and Sara Gunn; one great-grandson, Lawson Neprud; and of course many others who were like family to him.

Service arrangements are being made by Corbeill Funeral Home.  There will be a graveside service at the Colfax Cemetery on Saturday, April 26 at 9:30 a.m., followed by a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. in the Colfax High School Auditorium with a reception afterwards at the school.  Memorial contributions can be made to the Friends of Hospice or to the Colfax Schools Foundation for a future Larry Gunn Memorial Basketball scholarship.