Ralph Vernon Larson

Ralph Vernon Larson was born in Logan, Utah, on June 10, 1939, to Dr. Rudolph Vernon and Helen Calder Larson. He spent his early years in Smithfield, Utah; Tacoma, Washington; and Vernal, Utah. In 1947 the family moved to Roosevelt, Utah, where his father was the town doctor. His childhood was happy. His job at the Larsen Bottling Plant as a teenager defined his work ethic throughout his life. He graduated from Union High School in 1957, attended Dixie College in St. George for one year, and then moved to Logan, Utah to attend Utah State University. He valued and maintained friendships from these years for the rest of his life.

In 1959, he received a mission call from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to serve in the Helsinki Finland Mission, sharing the gospel message. His 2 1/2 years in Finland influenced the rest of his life. Ralph loved the Finnish people, language, culture, and history. After his mission he returned to Utah State University and studied political science. Ralph met Gerri Chatwin on a blind date, and they were married in the Logan temple on April 30, 1964. They immediately left for Bloomington, Indiana, where Ralph attended graduate school at Indiana University. He earned a masters’ degree in political science in 1966. He earned a Ph.D. in Uralic and Altaic studies in August 1972.

Ralph worked at I.U. in the department of continuing education until 1977 and then took a job with the National Drug Abuse Center in Washington DC, where the family lived in Vienna, Virginia. In 1979 the family moved to Orem, Utah, and in 1980 Ralph began work with Brigham Young University in the Division of Continuing Education. He held various positions at BYU and retired in 2006 as the director of evening classes. Following retirement Ralph and Gerri served a mission in the Helsinki Finland Temple.

Ralph’s life was full of service within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was a faithful home teacher, a bishop several times in the single’s wards at BYU and UVU, and a branch president at the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah. He was devoted and diligent in his service, and he blessed many lives. He frequently told his family, “I have always had believing blood,” as he referred to his testimony of Jesus Christ. His example of hard work and trust in the Lord is a great legacy to family and friends.

Ralph passed away peacefully at home on November 1, 2021 after suffering with Parkinson’s and dementia for several years. The family would like to thank the nurses and aides at A Plus Home and Hospice Care, especially Judy Escobar, for their dedicated and loving service.

Ralph is survived by his wife, Gerri; his six children, Lynette (Jeff) McMullin, Carolyn (Eric) Landon, Richard (Becky) Larson, Janet (Jason) Asay, Michael (Candace) Larson, David (Karalee) Larson; 30 grandchildren; and 5 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his four brothers, Jon, (Sally-deceased), Carl (Margaret), Paul (Miriam), Don (Becky); his sister Ann (Peter-deceased) Ellis; and their families.

A viewing will be held Sunday, November 7th, from 5 to 7 pm, at Utah Valley Mortuary, 1966 West 700 North, Lindon Utah. Funeral Services will be held Monday, November 8th, at 11:00 am, at the Sunset Heights Stake Center, 400 West 1200 South, Orem, Utah, where a viewing will be held prior to services from 9:30 to 10:30 am. Interment in Smithfield Cemetery.

Funeral Directors: Utah Valley Mortuary. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.uvfuneral.com.