Obituary of Larry Kientz

Obituary Larry was born in Calgary, Alberta, on August 16, 1954; the firstborn of Ralph and Stella Kientz. The Kientzes lived in Delia during Larry's early childhood and elementary school days. Larry moved to Fort St. John at the age of 14 years where he continued his schooling at Bert Bowes and North Peace Senior Secondary, graduating in 1972. Larry attended college in Grande Prairie as a pre-med student, and in 1976 he began his education at Western States Chiropractic College in Portland, Oregon. He graduated cum laude in 1980, and joined the practice of Dr. Fred Hendricks in Fort St. John in July of that year as an associate. On November 16, 1985, Larry married Judith Goertzen Neufeld and became stepfather to Judy's two sons: Patrick Neufeld and Lauren Neufeld. In 1987, Larry opened his own practice in Fort St. John, where he worked the remainder of his life. Larry was a man devoted to his family and his faith. He and his wife were best friends to each other; and as the years went by, they enjoyed each other's company more and more. Larry was interested in the lives of his stepsons, and willing to go an extra mile to enhance his relationship with them. He especially enjoyed having granddaughters, and would bore anyone he could with their latest pictures and exploits. Larry visited his parents and sisters in the Okanagan nearly every summer, often taking a short bike trip by himself to do so. Larry loved going to church and worshipping God, and it spilled over into all other aspects of his life. He was not shy regarding his faith; he enjoyed sharing it with everyone. Larry was involved in many different aspects of church life. He usually operated the sound system, which was a special interest, and many times he could be convinced to sing with the worship team, which he enjoyed very much. Larry was a computer whiz, and fixer of all things electronic in the home and business. He usually did all his own repairs and updates and managed to keep everything running smoothly. He had all the new gadgets as soon as possible, not so much because the system needed help, but because he simply enjoyed playing with it. Larry LOVED to ride his motorcycle. He got his first bike in 1998, and he never looked back. Riding was his activity of choice from April through October; longer if possible. He always said that riding gave him a feeling of freedom. When he wasn't on his bike, he was likely to be in the garage installing another new piece of chrome somewhere, or making some little adjustment. On July 2, 2010, Larry and Judy began their second day of holidays and stopped at Olds, Alberta, for lunch. Before they returned to their vehicles to continue on to Medicine Hat, Larry asked Judy to wait for him while he used the facilities. When he came out, he kissed her goodbye and said, "I love you. Have a good trip and see you in Medicine Hat". Judy left in her car, and Larry followed in a few minutes on his motorcycle. As he was driving along highway 27, coming over a hill, he hit a bump in the road, lost control of the bike and went down. He was conscious for a time while the paramedics worked on him, but died of internal injuries before he was ready for transport. Larry left behind to mourn him his wife Judy; stepsons Patrick Neufeld and Lauren Neufeld, daughter-in-law Janine Neufeld; granddaughters Piper and Jade Neufeld, parents Ralph and Stella Kientz; sisters Charlane Hack and Charlotte Kientz-SchuIz; and many brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, relatives, and friends. He will be greatly missed. Services