Dennis Larry Utsman

1947 - 2022

Dennis Larry Utsman

June 10, 1947 - August 12, 2022

Dennis Larry Utsman, 75 of Bluff City, Tenn., passed away on Friday, August 12, 2022 at his home following complications from surgery. A native of Bluff City, Larry was born on June 10, 1947 to Marion Haskell and Dorothy Lady Utsman. He was a 1965 graduate of Bluff City High School and served as a U.S. Army Reserve AMEDD officer.

A devoted husband, father and G, Larry spent his life around cars, beginning with his teenage years working at his dad's car lot and later 40 years as a car salesman at Bill Gatton Chevrolet. He was best known for driving the No. 23 car in the NASCAR Late Model Sportsman and later Busch Series, racing with Nascar legends like Harry Gant, Morgan Shepherd and Dale Earnhardt.

Larry shared his love for cars, Nascar and all things UT with children and grandchildren, spending countless weekends at Vol football and basketball games with family and friends.

He is survived by his wife Carol Russ Utsman; his daughter, Tiffany Utsman Carpenter (Allen) and his son, Craig Utsman; his three grandchildren, Emily Carpenter, Ryder Utsman and Avery Carpenter; his brother, Ronnie Utsman (Amy); his stepson, Tyler Shuttle (Erikka) and two step grandchildren, Gryffin and Zayah.

The funeral service will be conducted at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, August 16, 2022 in Akard Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends 4 until 7 p.m. prior to the service. The interment will be private. Pallbearers will be Chris Carrier, Leon Angeles, Brian Fitzgerald, Cody Long, Chris Myers, Brent Tuell. Honorary pallbearers are Phil Tuell and Albert Moretz.

In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be made to the American Heart Association, 3101 Browns Mill Road #6, Johnson City, TN 37604

Condolences may be sent to the family at akardfuneralhome.com

Akard Funeral Home, 1912 West State St., Bristol, TN (423) 989-4800 is serving the family of Mr. Utsman