Lawrence "Larry" Lee Lukenbill

Lawrence "Larry" Lee Lukenbill, 72, of Colorado Springs and formerly of Salinas, California, passed away on April 2, 2018 at Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs following a lengthy illness.He was born on September 14, 1945 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to W.S. "Luke" Lukenbill and Flora Lee Cochran Lukenbill. His family lived in Carpinteria and Santa Barbara before settling down in Lompoc, California, where he attended high school. He attended Allan Hancock Community College in Santa Maria and served two years in the Army during the Vietnam War, stationed at Fort Ord, California.Larry joined the Salinas Police Department, Monterey County, California in 1970 and served the department in a number of positions until his retirement in 2000. He was promoted to the Detective elected President of the Monterey County Child Abuse Prevention Council, and held that position for two consecutive years. During his tenure on the police force, he also was elected to serve as President of the Salinas Police Benefit Association, and fought for increased wages and safer working conditions for his fellow officers.Larry lived life to the fullest, and was the commander of his own destiny. He always spoke his mind, and never looked back. He was so incredibly smart, not easily swayed or influenced, was blessed with an amazing sense of humor, and most of al he was loyal to his family and friends. He expressed his love to use all by protecting us from the multitude of injustices real or perceived, and by defending our short-comings. He was a force of nature in our lives, and held our feet to the fire to do the right thing. He led us all on a very merry chase. He enjoyed playing college football under Coach John Madden, attending Oakland Raider games in the 70's, boating and fishing on the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, deep sea fishing, traveling to Hawaii, and enjoying many cruises with friends and family. He commented many times that house boating on the delta were the best years of his life. He was hooked on buying, fixing up, and driving classic cars and corvettes. He was a member of the Colorado Springs Corvette Club for a number of years, and made many wonderful friends. He loved going to car shows, and entering his beloved cars. He was a member of the Monterey County Chapter of Mensa, and transferred his membership to the Plains and Peak Chapter in 2003. He enjoyed the friends he made in Mensa, and the many activities, especially poker nights.Larry is survived by his wife of fifty years and eleven days, Nancy Jean Collings Lukenbill; his son, Lance Lee Lukenbill; his daughter-in-law, Tiffany Martinez Lukenbill; his granddaughter, Brooke Lauren; grandsons, Caden, Spencer, Parker, and Hudson; his sister, Linda Witas; and brother-in-law, Michael Witas. He also leaves behind numerous loving family members and friends who deeply mourn his passing.Graveside Service, 10:00AM, Monday, April 9, 2018, Evergreen Cemetery, 1005 Hancock Expressway, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903. Please wear something yellow to honor Larry's memory.Reception immediately following, 12:00PM, 17355 West Cherry Stage Road, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80921.In lieu of flowers, donations in Larry's memory may be made to Colorado Concerns of Police Survivors, P.O. Box 631522, Littleton, CO 80163, or online at http://www.coloradocops.org/donate.html Events Graveside Monday, April 9, 2018 10:00AM Evergreen Cemetery 1005 Hancock Expressway Colorado Springs, CO 80903 Phone: 719-578-6646 Reception Monday, April 9, 2018 12:00PM Larry Lukenbill Reception 17355 West Cherry Stage Road Colorado Springs, CO 80921