Kent Larsen

Kent Wilford Larsen

1938-2022

Salt Lake City, UT-

Kent Wilford Larsen passed away December 12, 2022, at the age of 84 after a short battle with cancer. Kent was born July 17, 1938, in Roosevelt, Utah to Clyde W. and Myrtle Henderson Larsen. Kent graduated from Millard High School in 1956, and received a bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Utah in 1960. He then moved to Washington D. C. and graduated from George Washington University Law School in 1963.

While in Washington D.C., Kent met Velma R. Bethers, who had been teaching elementary school in the area. They were married in Salt Lake City, Utah on August 18, 1961. After graduation Kent joined the law firm of O'Melveny & Myers in Los Angeles, CA. Kent returned home to Utah in 1968 and relocated to Salt Lake City, Utah and joined the law firm of Van Cott, Bagley, Cornwall, & McCarthy. In 1977, Kent helped form the law firm Rooker, Larsen, Kimball & Parr (now Parr, Brown, Gee & Loveless) and practiced primarily there until his retirement in 2020. He did leave Parr Brown a few times in search of new adventures (President of Olympus Bank 1986-90 and serving as outside counsel to a business owned by his two close friends in Newport Beach in the early 1990s) but always found his way back home.

On top of his varied and fulfilling law career, Kent raised a beautiful family. After his three children were raised and growing families of their own, Kent and Velma divorced in 1992. In November 1999, Kent married Marianne Stoddard. They made their home in both Salt Lake City and Eden, Utah. In 2008, they officially settled in Eden, Utah. Kent enjoyed the quiet peace of Eden until his passing.

Kent was a loyal University of Utah sports fan and held season tickets for football and basketball for more than 50 years. He raised his children to be avid Utah fans and greatly enjoyed sharing his seats with family and friends. On top of his dedication to college sports, Kent loved attending his children's and then grandchildren's baseball games, football games, and track meets. He loved supporting his children and grandchildren in their passions.

Above all, Kent was kind and generous with his time, advice, and financial resources. He selflessly supported and aided countless friends and family, and asked for nothing in return. His humility and calm demeanor brought out the best in people, and Kent's patience and tolerant nature were defining features of his life.

Kent is predeceased by his parents and his brother Clyde Duane Larsen. Kent is survived by his wife, Marianne; his three children, Jeffrey (Elizabeth) Larsen, Kurt (Angelina) Larsen, and Meridee (Wade) Larsen; and his brother Blake (Carolee) Larsen. He was a beloved grandfather to his sixteen grandchildren ranging in age from nine months to thirty-one years. Kent loved spending time with his grandchildren and watching them grow up. We will all miss him dearly and will remember how much he loved being a part of our lives.

There will be a Celebration of Life for all of Kent's friends and family on January 28, 2023 from 1-4pm at The Salt Lake Country Club, 2400 Country Club Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84109.