Larry Clark Taylor

Larry Clark Taylor was born on November 28, 1935, to Leon Southwick Taylor and Eva Mildred Clark Taylor in San Jose, California. Larry enjoyed growing up in a loving family with his three older sisters, Elaine, Millie, Annette, and his younger sister Linda. The Taylor family lived in the house his father built in San Jose. When Larry was 13, his beloved younger sister, Linda, passed away from leukemia. This was a time of great sorrow in the Taylor home.

As a youth, Larry played multiple sports in high school and also played the trumpet in band. As a teenager, he learned the importance of work and spent time assisting his father, a carpenter, on many building projects. He also worked at a service station prior to serving his mission. He graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in 1954.

Larry served an honorable 30-month mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Mexico and retained his love and use of the Spanish language throughout his life.

After serving his mission, he served honorably in the National Guard Army Reserve and achieved the rank of Captain.

He met his wife, Diane Florence Allred, at a church dance and they were married for time and all eternity on August 18, 1961, in the Los Angeles Temple.

Larry and Diane purchased their first home in San Jose, California, in 1965, after the births of their children Sheila and Jeff. They later welcomed Scott to their family. The early years were filled with raising a family, working as a carpenter, and serving in the Church. He served honorably for many years in various church callings, but he especially loved working with the youth in the Scouting program and enjoyed camping and outings with his sons, Jeff and Scott. As a family, the Taylors enjoyed going on picnics and going for drives.

Larry and Diane purchased property in Sugar Pine, California. In 1969, Larry began construction on their family's cabin. The Taylor's cabin, affectionately known as "The Sugar Pine Shanty" provided an endeared refuge enjoyed by Larry and Diane's family, relatives, and many friends for several years.

In 1977, Larry accepted a promotion as a construction superintendent and the family moved to Sacramento, California. Larry and Diane lived in Sacramento until January 2007, when they moved to Mona, Utah to retire.

Larry was a very talented craftsman. He spent many hours building playhouses, cradles, rocking horses, kayaks, and go carts, for his children, grandchildren, and the Scouts that he served with. Larry had a passion for helping others, whether it was helping the Scouts with the kayaks or the go carts, or building toys for needy children for Christmas for the families that he ministered to. Larry also was asked to build a door for a historic pioneer cabin in Mona, Utah. He donated his time as well as materials to this project. Larry served faithfully, humbly and quietly, and blessed the lives of countless individuals and families.

Sadly, his sweetheart wife, Diane, passed away on July 31, 2010, just prior to their 48th wedding anniversary and Larry felt her loss deeply. Diane had successfully endured her treatments for breast cancer while Larry lovingly cared for and supported her during her many health challenges.

While difficult for Larry, keenly feeling the loneliness after his beloved wife, Diane's passing, he enjoyed spending a great deal of time with his children and grandchildren. He joined an antique car club and won awards for showing (his 1928 Ford Model A Sport Coupe and a 1967 VW Beetle convertible) his cars. He enjoyed showing his cars at car shows and won many awards. He also volunteered weekly at the Bishop's Storehouse in Nephi and the Payson, Utah Temple.

Larry Clark Taylor returned Home on February 25, 2026, and has been reunited with his loving wife, Diane, his parents, and his sisters, Elaine, Annette, and Linda. He was a valiant and faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout his life and his gospel knowledge and love of Church history inspired his family to follow his example.

Larry is survived by his three children, Sheila (Jim) Heaton, Jeff (Penny) Taylor, and Scott (Melissa) Taylor, 14 grandchildren, and 28 great grandchildren and his older sister, Mildred Allred. Larry was a kind and loving father and an amazing "Grandpa". He will be greatly missed, but his family takes comfort in knowing they will be with him again and that he is with those he loves.

The viewing will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Wing Mortuary in Lehi, Utah, 118 East Main, at 10:00 am. A brief service will be held following the viewing at 10:45 am. Followed by the dedication of the grave in the Lehi City Cemetery, 1100 North 400 East.