Larry Allen Bays, aged 79, passed away on June 10, 2024, in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Born on July 5, 1944, in a small mining camp in Oak Hill, West Virginia, Larry’s life was marked by a rich tapestry of experiences and accomplishments.
Larry proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1965 to 1968, where he was stationed in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. His military service took him to Vietnam multiple times, specializing in North Vietnamese radar capabilities. His longest continuous stay was 7 months, during which he demonstrated exceptional skills and dedication.
Following his honorable military service, Larry pursued higher education, earning a Bachelor’s degree from Devry University in Phoenix and a Master’s degree from National American University. He dedicated his career to working as an Electrical Engineer, with significant contributions to scientific research at both Fermi Lab in Batavia, Illinois, and Los Alamos National Lab in New Mexico.
Larry’s personal life was filled with joy and adventure, particularly shared with his loving wife, Annette. Together, they traveled the world, enjoyed camping, boating, fishing, and attending concerts. Larry also cherished celebrating birthdays, holidays and watching his grandsons grow up.
He is survived by his wife, Annette, and their dog, Rubie; daughter, Amanda Cayton, her husband Michael, and grandsons Timothy and Daniel; and son, Aaron Bays, along with his dogs, Bean and Frank.
Larry was known for his amazing sense of humor and being a practical joker, traits that brought laughter and light to those around him.
A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Joseph on the Rio Grande in Albuquerque, NM, on August 9, 2024, at 8:30 am, followed by a gathering at the Bays family home in Rio Rancho. Attendees are requested to email Amanda at aleighcayton@gmail.com to RSVP and for all location information.
Later this year a military burial will be held at The National Cemetery in Santa Fe, NM.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Best Friends Animal Society at https://bestfriends.org or to your local “no kill” animal shelter in memory of Larry, reflecting his love for animals.