On the evening of June 5, 2015, after a valiant 16-year battle with cancer, Larry Woolley Holmstrom -- scientist, inventor, community leader and family man -- died peacefully, surrounded by family and friends. Born in Ogden, Utah on April 6, 1939 to Florence Woolley and Carl Holmstrom, Larry attended local schools, graduating from Ogden High and Weber State. After serving a mission to Sweden, he transferred to Utah State where he completed a BS in Electrical Engineering while on a music scholarship. He later earned a Master's Degree in Computer Engineering from Syracuse University.
Eyeing a pretty coed from across the Student Union Building, Larry remarked to a fraternity brother, \"I am going to marry that girl. Find out who she is.\" Charlene McCallson Preece didn\t have a chance. A few months later, they were married in the Logan Temple, and upon graduation in the spring of 1964, they set out for an adventure in New York. Larry worked for IBM as Charlene honed her skills as an interior designer. While there, they were blessed with two sons, Mike and Mark.
During the course of a distinguished career in the computer industry, Larry was awarded five patents. He was also named IBM\s Outstanding Young Engineer. The company transferred Larry to Florida, where he helped design the IBM PC. In addition, he worked on the Writing-to-Read program, combining his love for education and teaching with his computer expertise. His innovative spirit was unstoppable, as he moved to Utah and assisted in the development of the Bernoulli and Zip drives for Iomega. He also shared his talents with Word Perfect, Novell, Mainstream, and Bonneville Telecommunications. Over the last several years, he gained a reputation as an expert in film and video production, documenting important events for family, church, and friends.
Larry served diligently in every community in which he lived. In New York, he served as a member of the High Council, as scoutmaster, and as IBM Endicott Country Club President. With his wife, he started the ‘Super Saturday Program' which was adopted church-wide. In Florida, he was president of the Boca Raton Jets, a 800-member youth football league and served as Bishop of the LDS ward. Larry had a gift for inclusion. After a synagogue burned down, he invited the local Jewish congregation to worship in the LDS building. While the Catholic High School\s gym was under construction, Larry invited their boys\ basketball team to practice in the ward gym, as it had the only wood floor in town.
With both sets of parents aging, Larry and Charlene moved their family to Utah, taking a job with Bonneville International. Back in the West, Larry continued serving co-workers, church and community. He was a popular youth leader, organizing numerous outdoor adventures and youth conferences. He was a master teacher, helping scores of young people with their math and science homework and special projects. He was a true friend to all who knew him. There wasn\t a computer or gadget he couldn\t fix or an electrical problem he couldn\t solve. Day or night he was on call for everyone.
Larry is survived by wife, Charlene; children, Michael (Kimberly), Mark (Jennifer); seven grandchildren, Lauren, Erik, Josh, Hailey, Brooke, Caitlyn and Matt; sister Ann Whitehead, and brother David; and an extended network of people who consider him family. Preceded in death by parents.
Funeral Services: Friday, June 12, 2015, 12 noon, Federal Heights Ward (1300 E. Fairfax Rd) with viewing starting at 10am prior to the service. Friends and family are also invited to viewing on Thursday evening 6:30 ‚ 8:30pm, Larkin Sunset Lawn (2300 E, 1300 S ‚ east of Foothill Village). Interment - Salt Lake Cemetery.
The family expresses appreciation to the many medical providers and caregivers who assisted in Larry's care. Special thanks to Dr. Pamrod Sharma, Dr. Ross Morgan, Dr. Scott Samuelson, Dr. Richard Frame, and Natasha Jorgenson, for their world-class expertise.
