Larry Dearden

Larry Morton Dearden, 75, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend passed away Thursday, July 7, 2011 at his home in Henefer, Utah.

Larry was born September 29, 1935 in Coalville, Utah to Ray Joseph and Maina Morton Dearden. He grew up in Henefer and graduated from North Summit High School, he also attended LDS Business College where he acquired a real estate and insurance license. After graduation he owned and operated Dearden Dairy with his father and brothers where they bought and sold dairy products from Cream O' Weber and Meadow Gold dairies. He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Southern California Mission from 1956-58. He married his eternal companion Lorna Kay Backus on September 1, 1960 in the Salt Lake City, Utah Temple. They made their home in Henefer, Utah where they raised their four sons. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last September 2010.

Larry worked for Country Side Egg Farms in Salt Lake City Utah from 1964 to 1969. While there he helped start Gusto Marketing Systems, and was promoted to Assistant to the President with direct responsibility for sales and purchasing. He worked for Miller Floral Company in Farmington Utah from 1969 to 1981 where he worked his way to manager of sales and distribution. He worked for Universal Floral in Bountiful, Utah as Purchasing Agent from 1981 to 1984. He was self employed from 1984-1987 where he managed apartments and commercial buildings in Evanston Wyoming. In 1987 he was employed with Dee's Inc. where he was responsible for all purchases for 12 family restaurants and Director of Purchasing and Property Management until retirement in 2010. He took time off from work from November 2003 to December 2004 to serve a mission with his wife in the Missouri Independence Mission. It was a great privilege and blessing to serve together where they made many eternal friends.

Larry was very active in the Church where he faithfully served in many callings including: bishoprics, stake high council, high priest group leader, stake young men's president, and Elders Quorum President. One of the callings he enjoyed most was serving with his wife, Kay, as an ordinance worker in the Ogden Temple.

Larry enjoyed life. Spending time with his family is what he loved most. He was always serving and supporting them in all of their activities. Larry took great joy in hunting, fishing, gardening, and being in the outdoors. He also was an avid BYU fan, and loved watching and listening to their basketball and football games.

He accomplished many things while serving his community as Mayor from 1966 to 1970 and again from 1994 to 2002 and enjoyed making Henefer a beautiful place to live. Larry always referred to Henefer as living in Zion.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents. He is survived by his wife Kay and four sons; Karey (Lori), Kraig (Kim), Kris (Susan), Kyle (Stacie), 11 beloved grandchildren and two brothers Don (Connie), Carl (Shirley). Funeral services will be held Monday, July 11, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. in the Henefer Church. Friends and family may call at the church Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Monday from Noon to 1:15 p.m.

Interment, Henefer Cemetery.