Larry W. McQueary passed on January 19, 2026, at Northwest Healthcare System in Amarillo, TX following injuries sustained from a fall in his home.
Larry William McQueary was born to parents William E. (Mac) McQueary and Ruth E. McQueary on March 21, 1949, in Raton, New Mexico. As a young child he & siblings spent time with paternal grandparents William (Andrew) and Cora McQueary in Kiowa; roaming the mountains & plains of NE NM; and maternal grandparents Harold and Rae Laughlin in Capulin riding the telephone line. As an adolescent and teen, he hunted with his father, sister and uncles, drove delivery trucks to area ranches and residents, and was a gas station attendant at McQueary’s Chevron pumping gas, washing windows, checking the oil and even put air in the tires. WOW what $.30 could get you in those days!!
Graduating from Raton High School in 1967, he attended Eastern New Mexico University earning his Bachelor of Business Administration in 1972. Upon returning to Raton, he joined his father in the Standard Oil Warehouse operation and eventually became owner of McQueary Chevron. Larry & Kathy purchased a small bookkeeping practice in 1978 and grew it into a successful accounting firm; Larry W. McQueary CPA. While building the practice in the early years Larry continued to operate McQueary’s Chevron until 1983 as well as briefly teaching night classes in finance & accounting at the Luna Vocational Institute, Springer Satellite in 1980 &1981. Larry earned his RPA in 1983 and then his CPA in 1988. After serving his clients and community for 38 years he retired upon the sale of his firm in December of 2015.
Larry entered politics in 1974; as the youngest elected official in the state; he served as Colfax County Commissioner for 2 terms, during which the County was able to get York Canyon Road designated as State HWY 555 allowing for paving and much needed maintenance, he also led the initiative for the design and construction of a County Detention Center. Throughout the years Larry served the state & county Republican Partys in various roles, including co-chairing campaigns for US Sen. Pete Domenici, US Rep. Manuel Lujan, and other federal, state, county candidates. Continuing his service to the community Larry was a member of the City of Raton Finance Committee, Trustee of William & Kathryn Darden Trust – Arthur Johnson Library, Founding Member of NRA Whittington Center, NRA member, Rotary Paul Harris Fellow, Raton Museum member, and Life Member of Elks Lodge #865.
An avid UNM Lobo Basketball fan, he cheered the Lobos on from the Stormin Norman days to the present Eric Olen team. During the WAC – MWC tournaments and March Madness you could find him and family gathered around a TV. As a father and vocal fan, Larry actively supported his sons throughout their participation in football, basketball, and baseball.
As Doran and Brad advanced in their professional lives, Larry’s ever-present love, pride, encouragement, and enthusiasm helped to guide them. He was always there as a supportive spouse, father, and proud Papa of his three granddaughters and grandson.
Larry was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents and brother Gary, in-laws Herbert & Rosemary Dahl and brother-in-law Arthur (Artie)Dahl.
Surviving him is his wife of 54 years Kathy, two sons Doran and wife Susan of Shreveport, LA., Brad and wife Jennifer of Amarillo, TX; granddaughters Emily Rose McQueary, Molly Katherine McQueary and Ashley Rose McQueary, grandson Jase Bradley McQueary; siblings Elaine Lipe & husband Bob of Roswell, NM and Howard McQueary of Des Moines, WA. He is also survived by sister-in-law Glenna Rogers & husband Warren of Farmington, NM, brother-in-law Jim Dahl of Albuquerque, NM., nieces, nephews, cousins, and families.
Larry’s family would like to express our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to everyone offering condolences, support, prayers, kind words, and gestures. Your thoughtfulness has truly brought us comfort and strength during this time. “Friends are God’s way of taking care of us.”
We also extend our thanks to Raton EMS, MCMC Emergency staff, Apollo MedFlight team, NW TX Healthcare System staff and Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors of Amarillo, TX for their professionalism, care, and assistance.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at 11:00 am at The Lighthouse Church followed by a reception at the Raton Country Club.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made in memory of Larry to The Raton Museum – Building Fund or the NRA Whittington Center.
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