Larry Hyatt

Larry Hyatt

HELPER- Larry Hyatt, age 92, went home to Heavenly Father and was reunited with his sweetheart and love of his life for time and eternity Joanne, on February 2, 2024.

He was born in Nephi, Utah to Melba Anderson and Ivan Golden on March 10, 1931. After Melba and Ivan divorced she met and married Homer Hyatt and he adopted Larry and his sister Sonya on December 6, 1948.

Larry was close with his cousins Guy and Don. When they were all together, they did lots of things with each other. They were more like brothers and best friends than cousins. When Larry moved to Winter Quarters near Scofield with his parents and sister, they mostly lived on what they grew, hunted or fished. One of his jobs was to bring coal inside every day. They had a white, black and brown cat named Cat. Cat used to sneak up on Larry often. One time Larry had gone out to gather the coal and Cat was waiting on top of the shed. When Larry was halfway in the shed, Cat jumped on Larry’s back startling him greatly because it was dark and cold outside.

As Larry was growing up, he learned to garden, hunt and fish. During this time his love of animals grew, especially cats and dogs. He didn’t really enjoy hunting, but he loved fishing and gardening for most of his life. Larry attended the University of Utah, ROTC program and graduated from Utah State University with a bachelor’s degree in Geology and Soil Science. He served during the Korean Conflict, June 2, 1953, to June 4, 1955 in the 665th Transportation Truck Company. He earned the National Defense Service medal, United Nations Service medal, Korean Service medal, Good conduct medal, Peace medal from South Korea (made from the fence of the 38th parallel that is now the DMZ. Larry was recently awarded the Cold War medal during an Honor Salute at his home.

Larry married Joanne Houghton on June 15, 1956, at her parents’ house. Her father officiated their wedding. They were later sealed in the Manti Temple on May 24, 1958. She was his queen and compass, and he was her king and protector. They had six children, Tom, Vicky, Chris, Kim, Mark and Teal. Their family grew to 25 grandchildren, then grew more with 21 great grandchildren and counting.

Larry was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He held many positions and callings. He was an elder, High Priest, a superintendent for Young Men and Young Women, counselor and teacher for Sunday school in Castle Gate and Helper, First Counselor in the Bishopric in Castle Gate.

Larry worked for the Utah Department of Transportation for 37 years as a highway inspector. Throughout those years he brought many animals home he’d found hurt, orphaned or abandoned while working.  If you opened the lunch carrier at home before him, you did so carefully because you never knew if an animal or insect would be inside.  After he retired, he worked as a consultant for Creamer and Noble for several years. He also delivered and distributed newspapers for several years after retiring. He was a rockhound and mineral collector. He enjoyed rock cutting and polishing, making jewelry, tying flies and gardening. He enjoyed fishing. If any of his kids or older grandkids wanted to learn how to fish and clean the catch he would patiently teach them.

Survived by his children, Tom (Dianne) Hyatt, Taylorsville, Vicky (Eldon) Holmes, Cleveland, Chris (Kelly) Hyatt, Idaho Falls, Kim Hyatt, Provo, Mark (Michelle) Hyatt, Syracuse, Teal Hyatt, Helper; sister, Sonya Prudence, Tucson, Arizona; brother, Michael Golden, Kaysville; sister-in-law, Jane Houghton, Vernal; 25 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren.

Preceded in death by his parents; beautiful wife, Joanne; brother-in-law, Donald Houghton; brother, James Golden.

Larry was a wonderful man and will be greatly missed.

The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, CNS, especially Autumn, Carrie, Barbra, Sherald and Bridget; all his friends, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints leaders, priesthood and Relief Society, the VFW, American Legion, Boy Scouts, Fausett Mortuary and anyone else we may have missed.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to a charity of your choosing.

Funeral service, Friday, February 9, 2024, 12:00 p.m., Carbonville Ward Chapel (1985 West 4000 North) in Spring Glen, where the family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 a.m.  Interment, Mt. View Cemetery, Helper. Arrangements are in the trusted care of Fausett Mortuaries where friends are always welcome and may share memories online at www.fausettmortuary.com.