Larry Dale Gilgen

11/5/1936 ~ 7/3/2018

Larry Dale Gilgen Obituary
November 5, 2018 – July 3, 2018

Larry Dale Gilgen (Age 81), of Fountain Green, Utah passed away peacefully in his sleep the morning of July 3, 2018 from the effects of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Larry bore this trial well, and valiantly endured to the end with his loving wife, Mary constantly at his side.

Larry was born on November 5, 1936 in St. Charles, Idaho to Karl T. Gilgen and Arvilla Ann Bartholomew. They divorced when Larry was a toddler. He grew up attending school in Phoenix, Arizona and spent his summers with his grandmother in Ephraim working on the Nelsen farm. After reconnecting with his dad in his early twenties, he moved to Utah and began working with Utah Power & Light Company. He met Mary through mutual friends in Ephraim, and it was love at first sight. They were married on June 7, 1958, and later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on June 7, 1982. Larry and Mary recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

He served his country in the US Army, spending most of his time in Korea during the Cold War period. While serving, he received four Letters of Commendation. He had a great love and respect for his country and flag, which had a tremendous influence on how he conducted his life.

Larry worked for Utah Power for 32 years. He started as a groundman, then became a lineman working in the Salt Lake Valley. In 1973 he moved his family to Fountain Green to be the Local Agent for Utah Power out of their Moroni Office. He took an early retirement, but made it a point to keep himself busy because he wanted to teach his boys the importance of a good work ethic. He kept busy right up until the time his body would no longer let him.

Hunting was a huge part of Larry’s life, and was so much more to him than just the harvest. To him it was a spiritual connection, as it bonded him to his boys and other hunting companions. He always showed respect in handling the animals he harvested. He was always eager to share his unique consciousness of the beauty of the earth and all that Heavenly Father has provided for our use and enjoyment.

Service in the community was important to Larry. He was a chartered member, serving as the first president of the Fountain Green City Lion’s Club. For over 30 years he boiled and colored 60 dozen eggs for the Lion’s Club annual Easter egg hunt. During his time in the Lion’s Club he helped build the entrance gate at the city cemetery, trim trees on the city right-of-way, fundraised, including the annual city birthday calendars and other projects. Larry served on the Board of Directors for the Fountain Green Irrigation Company from April 1988 until the time of his death (30 years and 3 months). He also served on the Cedar Hills Pasture Company Board during this same period of time. He and Mary served as advisors to the Youth City Council for four years, and Larry served as Cubmaster as his boys were participating in Boy Scouting. Larry served on the Fountain Green Volunteer Fire Department for many years.

Larry was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and fulfilled many callings including ward clerk, and service missionary for the Moroni Bishop’s Storehouse. At the time of his death, Larry was a called temple patron.

Family was EVERYTHING to Larry, and he loved his kids and grandkids more than anything. When it had to do with family, a tender tear was often found in his eye. His guidance, wisdom, and lamb fries will be sorely missed. We love you dad and grandpa!

Husband of Mary Tuttle Gilgen. Father of Jody (Kurt) Noakes, Taylorsville, UT; Trudy (Scott) Benson, Cedar City, UT; Todd (Denise) Gilgen, Cedar City, UT; Cindy Bettridge, Cedar City, UT; Scott (Jill) Gilgen, Leamington, UT; Mike (Stephanie) Gilgen, Fountain Green, UT. Grandfather to 20; Great-grandfather to 13 with 2 on the way.

Preceded in death by his father, Karl T. Gilgen; mother, Arvilla B. Hanson; step-mother, Dorothy Schmid Gilgen; and step-father, Albert Delgado. Survived by brothers, James Gilgen (Sheryl), Kamas, UT and Hoby Gilgen (Lesa), Morgan, UT; sister, Holly Wetzel (Eric), Riverton, UT.

Special thank you to Central Valley Hospice, and especially Dr. Grant Rasmussen and Tyler Richens for your tender loving care.

Funeral services will be held Saturday July 7, 2018 at 1:00 pm in the Fountain Green LDS Chapel with a viewing from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm prior to the services at the church. Interment in the Fountain Green City Cemetery will be under the care of Rasmussen Mortuary.