Lawrence Lauber

Lawrence (Larry) Lauber, age 80, went to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ early on the morning of October 8, 2020 at home with his family around him.  He fought cancer for 16 years successfully until the past several months.  He is survived by his wife Sharon of 52 years and children/grandchildren:  Andrea (Danny) Wheeler, Meagan and Victoria; Samuel Lauber (Jessica) and Zha’Cari.

Larry was born on May 26, 1940 in Topeka, Kansas to Wilfred & Kathryn Lauber.  He completed Eagle Scouts, graduated high school in Wichita, KS and attained his Bachelor’s Degree at Wichita State University, and later a Master’s Degree from Highlands University, Las Vegas, NM where he also learned piano tuning.

He loved to talk about: his summers on the wheat harvest in Montana; several years of Peace Corps service in Pakistan ending with a European tour with his parents and trip home on the final voyage of the Queen Mary. 

In 1966 he accepted a teaching position at McCurdy where he taught Social Studies and Religion for 30 years.  He was a commissioned missionary through the EUB Church and then United Methodist.  He married Sharon Reecher (music teacher at McCurdy) in 1968.  He was always available to help people with whatever they needed, never asking for compensation - a true servant of God.  He loved leading Model UN and watching his students go on to succeed participating in government.  He led summer work projects on campus and was a bus driver for many years.

In 1998 he became a certified Lay Pastor in the UM Church and pastored the Velarde UM Church until 2010. 

He loved history, trains, engines, teaching, music and the Bible.

He enjoyed people and loved his family, loved talking about his children and grandchildren, was a leader in the local San Gabriel Historical Society, counseling and praying with people on the phone and in person, Kairos Prison Ministry, meeting with local pastors on Thursday mornings at The Rock, volunteering at the local Espanola Community Market (co-op), studying the Bible, teaching Sunday School at First Baptist Church Santa Fe, helping Sharon with their home-based business, collecting old things, tinkering in his shop and helping folks. He loved working in his yard, mowing and being outdoors. 

He touched many lives not only in Northern New Mexico, but around the world, and he will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made to McCurdy Ministries or if desired, please plant a tree and let the family know what kind and where you planted it.

A Celebration of Life service was held on October 11, 2020 at First Baptist Church, Santa Fe.