GREENWOOD VILLAGE - Here's something you could take to the bank, for those of you who still trust banks: Larry DeMuth is generous in sharing his wealth of experience.

DeMuth, a retired lawyer, is still involved with law, helping others hone their skills. He's on the board of the Colorado Judicial Institute, a nonprofit that helps judges to get more training.

He's also on the board of Griffith Centers for Children and Telecommunications History Group, one of the largest archives in Colorado that preserves the history of the telephone industry.

DeMuth, 80, is the Minoru Yasui Community Volunteer Award recipient for January.

DeMuth is a Boulder native and his father, Lawrence DeMuth Sr., was a lawyer. By the time junior was in high school, DeMuth knew it was a career he would follow.

After graduating from high school in 1947, he went to the University of Colorado. As the Korean War was starting, DeMuth was high on the draft list.

"I enrolled in ROTC. It allowed me to go to law school," he said.

When he finished, the war was over. He had nine months before he had to report for active duty in the Air Force, so he hired on with the Akolt, Turnquist, Shepherd and Dick law firm.

When it came time to serve, DeMuth put in two years' active duty in the Air Force in the Judge Advocate General Corps.

"It was good experience," he said. "I did courts-martial, claims work and contracting."

When his tour ended, he rejoined the law firm, which was outside counsel for Mountain Bell. In 1968, DeMuth left the firm to become the head in-house lawyer for the phone company.

Just before he retired in 1992, DeMuth started volunteering for the Judicial Institute. About the same time, neighbor Harry Vogler (a former Yasui recipient and national Jefferson Award winner) recruited DeMuth to begin volunteering for Griffith Centers for Children, which works with troubled youth.

DeMuth treats those around him with the philosophy that they know what they're doing and don't need him micromanaging.

"It never occurred to me that there was any other way to do it," DeMuth said. "My dad had a nice approach to people. I just inherited that. You don't ever succeed unless you select the right people to work with you."

When he's not volunteering, DeMuth likes to travel with his wife, the former Paula Withey.

"We have great-grandchildren here in town," he said. "My wife and I do some good traveling and do some good things with the family."

After finishing his work career, DeMuth said he's content with one that gives back.

"It's very rewarding doing the things you do, knowing your knowledge and experience helps people," he said. "It is rewarding to be 80 and just as active and energetic as you were 30 years ago."

massarog@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5271