Larry Gress Obituary

Larry "The Cannon Man" F. Gress, a life long resident of the Pikes Peak region departed this life January seventh at Pikes Peak Hospice (St Francis Hospital), he was 60. He was born late on March 12, 1946 to Nathan and Adele Gress at St Francis Hospital, followed closely behind on the 13th by his "Womb-mate" and Twin Sister Mary. Along with their older brother Donnie, they grew up in Colorado Springs. The family would travel with Nate on bussiness in the summer, and so Larry had visited nearly all the lower 48 states before he graduated from Roy J. Wasson High School in May of 1964. In 1965, Larry met the love of his life Charlena R. Blackburn and fell in love at first sight. They married in 1966 and became an instant family when Larry adopted her son Ronald. He is survived by his wife Charlena, as well as, their sons Ronald D. Gress (and wife Rose) living in Colorado Springs and Joseph J. Gress (and wife Darla, as well as, grand-daughters Brianna and Addison) who live in California. He was proceeded in death by his infant daughter Peggy Sue Gress. Larry Gress was a Journeyman Printer having completed an apprenticeship at Gowdy Print Craft and advanced to Lithographer's Mate Second Class (LI2) after being called to active service from the Reserves during the Vietnam War. Larry became best know though as the Cannon Man after he was medically retired following an industrial accident. A workaholic by nature, when denied his livelihood by the inability to work consistently he turned his need to be productive into a creative outlet. He created a wide range of crafts, however he was best known for his ability to turn scrap wood and metal into increasingly accurate reproductions of antique artillery. Ranging from earrings to a 3000 pound siege howitzer, Larry proudly declared that all of his creations functioned as originally designed. He will best be remembered though for his quick humor, humble spirit and desire to the right thing in any situation, as well as, his drive to help anyone he could in anyway that he could. When his body failed him more and more then he turned to his ability to pray to help others. Services will be held at the Woodland Park Church of the Nazarene, Saturday, January Thirteenth, 2007 at 3:00 p.m., to be followed by a private inurnment later in the spring. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Pikes Peak Hospice. Arrangements under the direction of Swan-Law Funeral Directors in Colorado Springs, CO