Ray Larson

1935 – 2023

Ogden/Ephraim

Our dedicated father, Ray Terry Larson, passed away on October 11, 2023 in Sanpete County at the age of 87. He was born on November 10, 1935 in Ephraim, to LuTerry and Edna Tuttle Larson, the fourth child and only son. He was raised in Ephraim in a home near what is now Snow College. He grew up working with his family on a ranch just west of Ephraim. These early ranch experiences established his love of livestock and agriculture which continued throughout his life. He was in the last graduating class, 1954, of Ephraim High School, before it became what is now Snow College. He was an avid athlete who excelled in football and basketball. Upon graduation, he attended Snow College and received an associate degree in 1956. Later that year, he served as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Australia. Ray loved his mission and spoke fondly of the people and his experiences. He was also a member of the Mormon Yankees basketball team that played against semi-pro teams and the Australian Olympic team. Upon his return, he attended and graduated from Utah State University with a degree in business and served in the US Army. While at USU, he met Nadine Fullmer, and they were married on August 11, 1961 in the Idaho Falls Temple.

Nadine and Ray settled in Ogden where she taught high school and Ray worked in the defense contractor industry for Hercules for a short time, and then for almost 30 years with Sperry Rand Corporation (now L3 Harris). They continued to reside in Ogden for the next 52 years, where they raised four sons ­ Greg, Mike, Brad and Randy. In the mid-1990’s Ray retired and began his second career working with Randy on the family ranch developing what is now the R. Larson Sheep Company, one of the top producers of lamb and wool in the western US. He worked every day on the ranch until earlier this year, when he slipped off an icy tractor and the injury led to a downward physical spiral, resulting in the complications that precipitated his death.

Throughout his life, Ray was a committed husband and father. He was passionate about teaching his sons how to work and instilled that habit in them at an early age. He was a dedicated servant to his church and served in many callings. Most notably, he served many times as a volunteer leader for the Boy Scouts of America. He positively influenced so many young men in these roles.

For the last decade, Nadine, prior to her death in 2019, and Ray resided on the family ranch in Ephraim. He was so grateful she said yes when he asked her to dance with him that night in 1959 at a Delta Phi party at Utah State.

He is survived by his sons: Greg (Julianne), Mike (Kristina), Brad, and Randy (Julie); 6 grandsons: Sam, Jack, Garrett, Gus, Jake, and Will; and 5 granddaughters: Alexa, Megan, Brooke, Kate, and Haizlee.

He is also preceded in death by his mother, father, and sisters.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. in the Ephraim 6th Ward, 450 North 200 West, where friends may Friday evening from 6:00-7:00 p.m. or Saturday morning from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Interment will be at the Ephraim Cemetery. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com.