Thomas Owen Larson

Thomas Owen Larson, 87, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend, peacefully passed from this life Saturday, May 16, 2026, in West Valley City, UT, with loving family by his side.

Tom was the favorite (only) son of Lorenzo and Ettie Owens Larson. He was born June 22, 1938, in Thatcher, Arizona. From this small pioneer town, the family would move to Phoenix, and later Yuma. He was a natural leader in his quiet, in-the-background way. He gave up his early introduction to music—once playing the violin and later the saxophone—to develop his love for sports, especially football. If he wasn't involved in the current sport, the coaches welcomed his help and leadership in other ways. The cinder block fence in their backyard has a hole where he practiced his shot put skill.

In high school, he was an outstanding student. He was involved in student government. He had math and science teachers he respected and enjoyed their classes. They had an influence on his career choice to become a teacher. In 1956, Coach Hal Kopp of BYU, made a recruiting trip to Yuma. Tom was one of three Yuma Criminals (the school's mascot) who received scholarships to play football. He picked up where his grandfather, who had played on the Brigham Young Academy team in 1896, left off.

In his sophomore year, he began sharing his love of football with a soon-to-become-his-wife coed, Judy. She became the love of his life. They were married in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple on July 15, 1958. This prompted a decision that perhaps it would be better if he became a pharmacist and take over the drug store his father, who was a pharmacist, owned. Tom and Judy transferred to the University of Arizona for a year. But pharmacy was not a fit for him. With his father's blessing, Tom enrolled in education to become a teacher. The couple moved to Pullman, Washington, where he completed his degree at Washington State University.

Upon graduating, they returned to Yuma, where Tom began his teaching/coaching career at his alma mater. They purchased their first home and welcomed their family: Thom, Becky, Doug, and Dean. However, they had always wanted to return to Utah to raise their family. In the spring of 1972, the opportunity presented itself. They hired a U-Haul and made the move. Hunter—now West Valley—became home.

After relocating to the Salt Lake area, Tom taught and coached at several high schools in the Granite School District. His teams won two state championships in football, both at Kearns High School. The first as an assistant in 1972 and the second as head coach in 1989.

Tom was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in several callings. For many years, he was a Scoutmaster, later receiving the Silver Beaver Award. He became bishop of the Hunter 15th Ward. Tom and Judy served together as a missionary couple in Cyprus, Sicily, and Philadelphia. They also served in the Jordan River Temple.

Tom was always willing to help those in need. He often took one of the kids with him when going to help. The boys remember shoveling the neighbors' walks before returning home to do their own.

Tom is survived by his children,Thom (Sherry), Becky (Nu) Tauiliili, Doug (Deanna), and Dean (Summer); sister, Lyn Downing; sixteen grandchildren, and twenty great-grandchildren

Funeral services will be on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at 11:30 a.m., Hunter 14th Ward Chapel, 3460 South 6400 West, West Valley City. Viewings: Wednesday, May 20, 6 – 8 pm and Thursday, May 21, 10 – 11:15 a.m. Interment Valley View Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Perpetual Education Fund, or a charity of your choice.