"Oh, the last goodbye is the hardest one to say. This is where the cowboy rides away." George Strait.

 Larry Shiflet, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend passed away peacefully on June 5, 2026, at the age of 87. 

Born on December 4, 1938, in Safford, Arizona, he was the only son of Sam and Vada Shiflet and grew up alongside his four sisters in small farming communities throughout the Gila Valley in southeastern Arizona. In early childhood, he grew up without electricity or running water, learning from a young age the value of hard work, resilience, faith, and family. He spent his days riding horses, fishing, exploring the desert, helping on family farms, picking cotton, and creating the stories that would later become treasured family legends. He lived around many extended family members and remembered with glee his uncles returning unharmed from World War II. He became fluent in colorful barnyard language, which he eventually tempered over time. By the Hand of Providence, he escaped brushes with rattlesnakes, being bucked off horses, and a skunk visiting the sleeping porch.

 He graduated from Santa Cruz Valley Union High School in Eloy, Arizona, where he enjoyed playing baseball and football. He then enjoyed a summer clearing trails on his beloved Mount Graham.

Larry was a faithful and active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He served two years as a missionary in the Great Lakes Mission. During his life he served in numerous callings, but his favorite was working with the youth as a Scout Master. He would plan an outing or campout each month, but to attend each boy attending had to earn a new merit badge. Through his motivation numerous boys achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. 

Larry attended Eastern Arizona College in Thatcher, Arizona, where he earned his associate degree. It was the friendships and adventures that made those years especially memorable. Larry and his buddies had a talent for finding excitement wherever they went, and many of the stories he shared throughout his life began with those college days. He and his buddies even tried their hand at riding bulls in college rodeos. Those experiences created lifelong friendships and countless memories.

 The greatest blessing of his life came when he met Katherine Davis, his soul mate, at a rodeo dance. From then on, his life centered around building a future with her, and bull riding fell by the wayside. They were married on April 20, 1962, in the Mesa Arizona Temple and shared more than fifty-five years of love and devotion. 

Together they raised their children, Clint and Sherri, creating a home filled with love, faith, laughter, and outdoor adventures. He loved operating a small farm and living in the country but was willing to relocate to the big city when it was good for his family and career. Larry loved the Gila Valley, hunting, fishing, horse riding, camping, arrowhead hunting, history, storytelling and cowboy poetry. He rarely missed and thoroughly enjoyed his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events, rain or shine.

 Larry dedicated more than 30 years of service to the Bureau of Land Management, beginning as a surveyor in Safford, Arizona, and later building a successful career as an appraiser. Each summer he yearned for the fire lines. As a fire chief, he skillfully managed wildfire operations, ensuring his team stayed safe while responding to more than 100 forest and range fires. He loved his job and its connection to the land. If you asked about a town in farflung Arizona or Idaho and he’d be happy to tell you its history and the best cemetery nearby. And he always suggested taking the long way to get there.

 His career brought the family from the Gila Valley to Mesa, Arizona, in 1975, and later to Boise, Idaho, in 1978. While those moves weren't always embraced equally by every family member, (Sherri) they ultimately became important chapters in the family's story.

 More than anything, Larry loved his family, and he expressed his love openly in his cowboy twang. His example of hard work, faith, humor, loyalty, and unconditional love will continue to guide those who loved him.

 Larry’s greatest legacy is his family. He is survived by his children, Clint (Jen) Shiflet and Sherri (Kole) Kinkade; grandchildren Mallory (Guy) DiBartolo, Kyle (Kaitlyn) Grigsby, Kaitlin (Eric) Johnson, Brooke (Mike) Riggs, and Emma Shiflet; 10 great-grandchildren; sisters Twylah Thomas and Waynona Powell; brother in law Burt Davis; beloved nieces and nephews; and countless extended family members and friends.

 He was preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Vada Shiflet Colvin, his wife Kathy Davis Shiflet, and his sisters Virginia Shiflet and Martha Dixon.

 A sincere thank you for their loving care and support, to the staffs of Cornerstone Senior Living, and Keystone Hospice.

 In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association in Larry's memory. 

A funeral service will be held on Monday, June 22, 2026 at 1:00 pm, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 4921 N. Mitchell Street Boise, Idaho with visitation held one hour prior to the service, a committal service will follow at Dry Creek Cemetery Boise, Idaho.  Condolences may be left for the family at www.bowmanfuneral.com