Larry Henry Deremo

Lawrence “Larry” Deremo, beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and community leader, passed away peacefully in his home in Dove Creek, Colorado, on September 16, 2025, at the age of 94.

Larry was born on June 6, 1931, in Elbert, Colorado, to Eloise and Clyde Deremo. In 1933, he moved with his parents and older brother Merrel to Egnar, Colorado, where the family homesteaded. He graduated from Dolores County High School in 1950.

Larry’s life was marked by service, innovation, and deep ties to his community. He attended Western State College in Gunnison, CO where he met his wife JoAnn Biesemeier whom he was married to for 66 years before her passing in 2020. In 1953 he was drafted into the military and served in a guided missile unit defending Washington, D.C..

Throughout his life, Larry wore many hats. He worked as a driller for Johnson and Yevon Drilling Company during the uranium boom in Egnar and Disappointment Valley, and he taught science and math at the Egnar School. He earned his real estate license in 1970, his private pilot license in 1975, and his commercial and instrument pilot ratings in 1977.

In 1960, the Deremo family established Delmac Farms. Larry loved being a farmer, and spent more than 50 years farming alongside his sons, Lyle and Rick, and his grandchildren. He poured his energy into improving and advocating for his community. His many contributions included serving on the Dove Creek City Council for eight years, as Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, President of the Ophirama Company, and as Dolores County Democratic Chairman. He was Chairman of the Dove Creek Soil Conservation Board for 12 years and was named Soil Conservationist of the Year in 1995. He also served as Chairman of the Dolores County Rural Water Board and was a director of the Dolores Water Conservancy District for 20 years. For 24 years, he represented the Southwest Water Conservation District, making multiple trips to Washington, D.C., to lobby for critical infrastructure including the Dolores and Animas-La Plata Projects and the Ben Nighthorse Dam. His other roles included Chairman of the San Juan Watershed Board, Civil Air Patrol member, President of the Dove Creek Airport Association, Farm Service Agency representative for eight years, and serving on the Advisory Committee for Dove Creek’s secondary water system.

Larry is survived by his sons, Lyle Deremo (Ginny Craig) of Durango and Rick Deremo (Linda) of Dove Creek; his grandchildren Drey Deremo (Veronica Ortiz), Kalen Deremo, Karsten Deremo, and Kellie Halper (Tim); his great-grandchildren Reagan, Sloane, and Pierce Halper. He was preceded in death by his wife JoAnn, his parents, his brother Merrel and many other cherished family members. Larry’s legacy of service, leadership, and love for the land will live on in the hearts of his family, friends, and the community he helped shape.

Please join us for a celebration of life at Ertel Funeral Home on Wednesday September 24 from 5-7 PM. A private family graveside service will be held at the Dove Creek Cemetery.