April 9, 1945 – March 8, 2024
Our family is so sad to share the news that our Dad, Larry Williams Christensen, unexpectedly passed away on March 8, 2024.
Larry will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him. He was a kind, gentle, loving man. He was our Mom’s best friend and always by her side. He was always there for anybody. He was an amazing artist, Friend, Father & Grandfather. He loved his family, friends, the gospel, art and his tractor with all his heart.
Larry lived an amazing life. Some people who knew him well called him “The Renaissance Man.” There wasn’t much he couldn’t do.
He was born April 9, 1945, in Salt Lake City to Ove L. and Beulah Williams Christensen. He was raised in Moore, Idaho, and later, his family moved to Magna, Utah, where he attended Cyprus High School and graduated as a Sterling Scholar.
As a young man, he served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Brazil. He graduated from BYU with a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Fine Arts and taught art at BYU and UVU. He farmed cotton in Texas, served 10 years on the Utah Highway Patrol, owned a furniture refinishing shop….the list goes on and on.
He and his wife Kathy “retired” to Old La Sal, Utah in 2013 to build a home and live their dream with Larry painting and “tractoring” while Kathy baked apple pies and played her fiddle. He was a member of Gallery Moab, operated by some of the finest artists in the world who became some of his finest friends.
Larry is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and has served in many callings. He loved being part of the La Sal Branch. Larry lived and loved life with an eternal perspective and had unwavering faith and testimony for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We know we will be with him again.
He is survived by his wife, Kathy; sons, Matt Christensen, John Christensen (Olea), Ryon Jones (Traci) and Torrey Jones; daughters, Marnie Jordan (Harris), Brandi Olesen (Erik); and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is also survived by siblings Dennis Christensen (Peggy), Lee Christensen (Marie), Karen Johnson, sister-in-law Nila Christensen, brother-in-law Mick Henline, their wonderful families…..and a world of friends. Larry was preceded in death by his parents, son Ronnie Christensen; and siblings Lynn Christensen, Eileen Henline and Elden Christensen, and brother-in-law Larry Johnson.
Services will be held Saturday, March 16 in Moab at the LDS Stake Center (701 Locust Lane) with live streaming on Spanish Valley Mortuary Facebook page. A viewing will be held at 10 a.m. with service to follow at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens (2651 Spanish Valley Drive). We invite all those who knew and loved Larry to join us in celebrating his life.
You may send condolences to the family at www.SpanishValleyMortuary.com
