A beloved veterinarian, outdoor enthusiast, championship shooter and life-loving cowboy better known as the "Durango Kid," Larry Cohen, DVM, passed away Aug. 2nd, 2010 from a heart attack which he suffered early on Monday morning in his home. "Dr. Larry" was an esteemed practicing veterinary surgeon and physician, and owner of Baker's Bridge Veterinary Clinic just north of Durango. Cohen was born Sept. 17, 1943 to Rose and Harry Cohen in St. Louis, Missouri. He attended the Hebrew Academy for his primary education and went on to the University of Missouri where he graduated with a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1968.
He first moved to Colorado that same year, to do a residency at Colorado State University's Veterinary program. Upon completion of his residency, he moved to the Los Angeles area in 1969 to practice medicine. While there he owned and operated the Woodcliff Animal Hospital which he ran until 1991. It was always Cohen's dream to return to Colorado and he made frequent fall hunting trips to the Durango area even when he lived in California. He purchased his cabin at Baker's Bridge in 1986 and moved to Durango full-time in 1991. Cohen built and opened Baker's Bridge Veterinary Clinic in 1992 and continued to provide compassionate care for his small animal clients until his death. He ran low cost vaccination clinics at Basin Coop in Durango for many years. He was a member of the AVMA and Four Corner's Veterinary Group.
While in Southern California he was instrumental in founding the Single Action Shooting Society that popularized old-west cowboy competitive shooting scenarios. SASS is now an international organization with nearly 100, 000 members. He served on the organizations' "Wild Bunch" from 1987-1992 and placed as World Champion Shootist in both 1991 and 2001. An article about the "Durango Kid" appeared on the front page of the Wall Street Journal in 1994. He won numerous shooting awards through the years including Colorado Mounted (on horse-back) Champion in 1998. Cohen was featured on the Starz Western Channel for an entire month in 2003 for his participation with the "Happy Rails" shootout held in Durango.
He had a passion for the outdoors and loved the Rocky Mountains and living in Southwest Colorado. He and his quarter horse "Rebel" were regulars in the Cowboy Parades, mock train robberies with the D&SNGRR and he even rode Rebel inside and right up to the bar at Handlebars Saloon in Silverton. (At the owner's request, of course.) In recent years, Cohen also competed in 3-gun sniper style shooting events and pistol shooting competitions all around the region. He had also helped organize and coordinate the regional police departments' annual SASSO shoot.
Larry is survived by three children. Eldest son Jeff Michaels Cohen of Windsor, CO, with wife Cyndi and granddaughters Amanda and Cassidy. Son Todd Cohen of Chatsworth, CA and wife Tatiana and his teenage daughter Katelyn Cohen of Tucson, AZ. Larry is also survived by wife of 10 years, Kristi Nelson Cohen and older brother Donald Cohen and wife MaryAnn from Cape Coral, FL. Additionally, he is survived by the many, many four-legged friends whom he has had the pleasure of helping for many years. To honor Cohen's Jewish faith and wishes, a private memorial and gravesite service was held on August 3rd at the Hermosa Cemetery. The mountain-side service was officiated by Congregation Har Shalom affiliate Eli Herb with live music performed by the Bar D. Wranglers. Like any good Jewish Cowboy would want, the service was concluded with the Bar D singing Roy Roger's classic "Happy Trails." Memorial contributions in Larry Cohen's name can be made to the Roy Roger's Happy Trails Children's Foundation at 10755 Apple Valley Road, Apple Valley, CA 92308. www.happytrails.org
Published on Tributes.com
