James Fuller Larkin passed away peacefully on 4 March 2015 due to illnesses incident of a hard long life. We bid him farewell with a sure knowledge that we will see him again and the world is better for his life and his abiding love toward all he knew. His life was grounded in faith, dignity, hard work and gratitude.
James was born on 28 February 1920 in Snowville, Utah to Joseph James Larkin and Mary Sophina Fuller. He graduated from Bear River High School and then was drafted into the U.S. Army and served faithfully during World War II. He was one of the last few remaining World War II veterans living in the Salt Lake area.
At the age of two he drowned in an irrigation ditch and miraculously was brought back to life by being rolled on a wood barrel. He worked on his family farm in Snowville with his eleven brothers and four sisters until he was called to serve a full-time LDS mission in the Austin Texas Mission. He was released from his mission early to return to Snowville to help on the family farm. While returning home he met June Ellen Smart on a Greyhound Bus in Phoenix and were subsequently married in the Salt Lake Temple. He is survived by his sons Kent (Patricia), Steven, and Emerson (Ann). He has seven grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren and one great great grandson.
James was predeceased in death by our dear mother, June Ellen Smart, on 11 November 1975. He later married Lela Kendall Therkelsen. Our family grew with three adult children: Otto (Linda) both deceased, Loraine and Karla with several step grandchildren.
Dad and Mom bought a large farm in the little town of Granite, Utah at the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon where we raised foxes, mink, and various other animals and had a large fruit orchard. Mother took care of the new farm while Dad served in the US Army during World War II for two years. Dad gave us the will and ambition to live off the land, and cultivated our lives to work hard and be a good example. He will truly be missed.
On Tuesday, 10 March, family and friends are invited to share their love and memories of James at a viewing to be held prior to the funeral services at the Larkin Sunset Gardens Mortuary from 12:00 noon ‚ 12:45 p.m., 1950 East 10600 South, Sandy, UT. Funeral services will immediately follow at 1:00 p.m. Interment following the funeral services will be at the Mountain View Memorial Estates Cemetery, 3115 East 7800 South, Cottonwood Heights, UT.
The family extends its heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to those who provided for our father's care and comfort: Salt Lake Veterans Nursing Home, Brighton Hospice and those serving in the Veterans Nursing Home Branch Presidency.
