Lawrence Larkin Hamilton
1933 – 2022
Lawrence Larkin Hamilton passed away on October 24, 2022 at the age of 89. Larkin was born on February 8, 1933 to Alvin LaVar Hamilton and Elva Sproul in Fairview, Utah. He was the fourth of eight children and a farm boy. After graduating from North Sanpete High, he married his childhood sweetheart, Barbara June Madsen, on January 30, 1953 for time and all eternity in the Manti Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
He was then drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War, but was not deployed because of a knee injury. He attended Utah State University and earned a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1959.
Larkin and Barbara were blessed with nine children. After a few moves, in 1971, Larkin and Barbara settled in La Crescenta, California where he worked for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). In the age of space exploration, he had the opportunity of working on several significant aerospace projects including: Galileo, Voyager, and the Magellan Missions.
He lost his sweet bride, after 41 years of marriage, when she passed away in his loving care on March 22, 1995. After Barbara’s passing, he was blessed again as he had the privilege of marrying Joan Crowther Nielsen on April 13, 1996. At that time, he moved from California to Joan’s home in Provo, Utah.
Larkin and Joan created lasting memories for both sides of the family and served two LDS missions to Vladivostok, Russia (1997-1999) and Baguio, Philippines (2003-2004). After 23 years of marriage and tenderly caring for Joan, he lost his second love on May 19, 2019. Twice Blessed – a loyal, devoted, and caring husband.
Hard worker, faithful, obedient, determined, covenant keeper, temple worker, loving and loyal husband, devoted father and grandfather, expert gardener, outdoorsmen, electrical engineer, “jack of all trades,” physically fit, with a servant heart are just a few of the words that describe Larkin.
Keeping physically fit was always a priority and at 89 years old, he went to the recreation center for his Monday morning exercise and suffered from a heart attack thereafter. His twice broken heart was ready to return to his heavenly home and cherished loved ones.
He is survived by his two sisters, Mary Denna and Bonnie Nielsen, his posterity with Barbara includes nine children: Merdene Lowe (Tom), Kathryn Castello, Kenneth (Tracy), Rebecca Skinner (Pete), Benjamin (Jill), Chad, Janice Haas (Ron), Perry, Melanie Scott (Eric), 43 grandchildren, 58 great grandchildren, along with Joan’s posterity which includes seven children, their spouses, 36 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren, and Joan’s three step-children and their families.
A viewing will be held at Utah Valley Mortuary (1966 W 700 N, Lindon) on Friday, October 28th, from 5:00-7:00pm. On Saturday, October 29th, Funeral Services will begin at 10:30am with a viewing prior from 9:00-10:00am, held at the LDS church building (400 West 1800 South, Orem). A livestream will be provided at utahvalleyfuneral.com.