Memorial
Larkin Sunset Garden
1950 E Dimple Dell Rd., Sandy, UT 84092Monday Feb 9, 2026: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
1942 ~ 2026
Larkin Sunset Garden
1950 E Dimple Dell Rd., Sandy, UT 84092Monday Feb 9, 2026: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Moments that Matter
Our beloved Larry Grant Jackstien, age 83, passed away on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, from Lewy Body Parkinson’s Disease. A loving father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, Larry’s positivity and joy in life revolved around his family and his love of jazz music. Larry taught us through his writings and essays that there were four pillars of life that mattered most to him: Family, Music, Career, and Church. He will be greatly missed by his family and the countless lives he touched during his well-lived life.
Early Life & Education
Larry was born to two loving parents, Grant & Vera Jackstien, in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1942. He enjoyed a “charmed existence” throughout his life, making lasting friends with fellow jazz musicians, Sigma Chi fraternity brothers, co-workers, and neighbors.
Larry attended the University of Utah, studying political science and business. He made lifelong friends at the Sigma Chi house where he would play jazz piano and accompany his “brothers” in song for four years. His Sigma Chi friendships were deep and everlasting. He valued each of them as true brothers and lifelong friends. He finished with an MBA at the University of Utah and began a long and successful career in Marketing & Hospitality Executive Management.
Career & Accomplishments
Larry started in advertising at the Dave Evans Company while also teaching advertising at the University of Utah. Eventually, he concentrated on hotel and resort marketing, holding Executive level positions at the Hotel Utah, Preferred Hotels Worldwide, Hilton Hotel, Deer Valley, and Snowbird. His desire to serve his state and community led him to procure positions on the Utah Travel Council, Salt Lake Convention Board, Bicycle Utah founder, Visitors Bureau Board, and University of Utah Alumni Association. He earned the prestigious Utah Tourism Achievement Award and was instrumental in moving Utah to the forefront of the national tourism industry in the 1990’s. A marketer at heart, Larry was consulting and building out “high probability marketing” plans for businesses and destination resorts long into his retirement years.
Music & Mentoring
In his own words, Larry was “obsessed with the music called jazz.” It was a significant part of the four pillars of his life.
To Larry, “music was a glorious thing.” At an early age he discovered jazz as an art form and became a professional jazz pianist, spending over six decades as a performer, composer, arranger, lecturer and concert producer.
He performed extensively throughout the area and backed up or brought in artists such as Henry Mancini, Nancy Wilson, Elvis Presley, Tony Bennett, Mel Torme, Milt Jackson, George Shearing, Gene Harris, Diana Krall, Clark Terry, Herb Williams, Hank Jones, Monty Alexander, and many other jazz superstars. His popular jazz lecture series was requested throughout the community through radio broadcasts, live performances, and mini concerts to introduce vast numbers of listeners to jazz music.
He started many of Utah’s jazz concert series, with most of them still continuing to this day. These include the Deer Valley music festival, Snowbird Jazz & Blues Festival, Hotel Utah concert series, and Jazz at the Hilton concert series. The greatest superstars of jazz were brought in by Larry and his partners, invigorating the jazz landscape in Utah for the last forty years.
Larry also loved to mentor young jazz musicians. Many of Utah’s top performing artists today were given their first chances to perform jazz with the Larry Jackstien Group. Young high schoolers and college players were drawn to Larry and his positive influence while developing their abilities, confidence, and skills alongside his jazz trio. He believed in giving young artists a solo stage and he worked closely with university jazz department directors to debut young talent in the jazz industry.
One of Larry’s favorite songs was “If I’m Lucky.” In Larry’s own words written a few years before his passing, “I was very lucky. Lucky to have had parents who spoiled me with love and opportunity. Lucky to have found my eternal soul mate. Lucky to have four beautiful, handsome, successful children. Lucky to have been surrounded by great, supportive friends. Lucky to have been invited to join Sigma Chi fraternity that led to the strongest brotherhood of great friendships that lasted a lifetime. Lucky to have discovered the joy of all kinds of music, especially jazz. Lucky to have lived a mostly charmed life, ready to embark on the next phase of eternal existence.”
Family & Personal Life
Above all, Larry was a devoted father and husband to his wife and four children. Larry met his sweetheart and wife, Bette Lorene Jackstien, during college on an “accidental” blind date. She was the love of his life and his best friend. Larry and Bette were adventurous travelers throughout their lifetime, spending summers as a young married couple in Europe and Hawaii and visiting cities and countries around the world as a couple or with friends. Because of his hospitality profession perks, they spent many years of their life with their four kids on ski hills, mountain bike trails, beaches and family adventures. Fond family memories were created through their years of travel and adventure together as a family.
Larry was always proud of his four accomplished children: Jinger, James, Jill, and Joshua. He coached their teams, mentored them in music, and spent countless hours at performances, recitals, and sporting events cheering them on. He was a wonderful grandfather to their thirteen grandchildren, spoiling them with love and lots of “grandpa’s waffles” regularly.
In his life essays, he wrote that his success in the four pillars of his life were the result of the support and encouragement from his eternal companion, Bette. He felt extremely “blessed” in his family life and was a positive, loving hero to his children and grandchildren.
Church & Military Service
As an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Larry served in several leadership and teaching positions, including a mission in southwest England for two years during college. He was always grateful for the profound insight the doctrines offered of the origin of life and destiny of man in the eternities.
Larry also spent six years in military service to his country. In 1966 he joined the Utah National Guard and was stationed at Hill Air Force Base in Ogden, Utah. Larry originally wanted to become a pilot but his vision wasn’t good enough to be eligible to fly. His six years of service in the Air Force consisted of office logistics, loading, unloading, and transporting cargo in planes bound for Vietnam and other remote locations. Honorably discharged after six years, he retired as a Master Sargeant in 1972.
Larry’s Legacy
Larry’s life was full of Moments that Matter. He lived his best life and made life better for others. He wanted his funeral to be a Celebration of Life, a remembrance of moments that make life worth living. And a final chance to remind those he loves that life should be full of joy, love and, most of all, music.
Larry is preceded in death by his parents, Grant Albert Jackstien and Vera Lousie Carlson. He is survived by his wife, Bette Lorene Jackstien (Sandy, Utah); his daughter, Jinger Shoemaker (Saratoga Springs, Utah); his son, James Jackstien (Draper, Utah); his daughter, Jill Jackstien Angerbauer (Draper, Utah); his son, Joshua Jackstien (Denver, Colorado); and his sister, Joann Black (San Jose, California).
Service Information
Please join us for a Celebration of Life Service for Larry Jackstien on Monday, February 9th at 2:00 pm at Larkin Sunset Gardens in Sandy, Utah on 1950 East Dimple Dell Road.
In Lieu of Flowers
https://bold.org/funds/larry-jackstien-jazz-piano-community-impact-scholarship-fund/
In lieu of flowers, the Jackstien Family is continuing Larry’s legacy by forming the Larry Jackstien Jazz Piano Community Impact Scholarship. Please donate through the link above to help Larry continue to inspire young jazz pianists to have a positive impact in their communities through music, education, and mentorship--just as Larry did during his lifetime.
Larry and I were always good friends throughout grade school, junior high school, and high school. We did a lot of fun things together in our lifetime. Larry and I both loved music. I was more of a connoisseur, even though I played violin, trumpet, piano, and trombone. I did not play these instruments well. However, Larry was a magnificent pianist even as a boy. In the latter 1950s, his sister Joanne operated a dance studio out of the Jackstien home, and Larry played the piano for his sister during her dance classes. That was good practice for Larry.
Larry asked me to speak at his mother’s funeral when she passed away in 2001. She had lived in a nursing home on Creek Rd., not far from Larry’s and Bette’s current residence. I spoke about my early experiences with Larry’s mother when I was a boy and a friend of Larry’s. She always made me feel so much at home and like a valued friend of Larry’s.
When my mother passed away in 2002, I asked Larry to play a piano solo and accompany my daughter’s solo, and another solo sung by a friend of our family at her funeral. He was so gracious in accepting my request. Larry did a magnificent job, and I was so very grateful to him as his contribution to my mother’s services made a difference.
I’ve known Larry for 73 years. He has been a friend of mine longer than any other friend that I can remember. Larry has always been a class act. Always so kind, considerate, and compassionate. I loved Larry Jackstien as a true friend. Larry, I will miss you, but it will only be a short while before we see each other again on the other side.
My sincere condolences to all that had the pleasure to know Larry and share experiences with him. As a Sigma Chi fraternity pledge and active brother, Larry and I shared a common interest in jazz piano and the study of the greatest jazz pianist of all-time. Larry. Has made a profound impact on the jazz music world in SLC. He will be surely missed by me and by others. God bless his family and dear friends at this difficult time. Let Larry's music influence on others live on and never end. Those that had the listening pleasure of hearing Larry play the piano know what I mean. Rest in peace.dear Sig brother. "ln Hoc"...All Honor to his name.
On Tuesday 27 January Merrill Smith was playing piano ambience music for Dr. Dennis Russell’s memorial. As we talked while he played, the name Larry Jackstien came up. Merrell, an incredible performer in his own right, was effusive with praise and gratitude for things learned from Larry. We had always called him Rabbi—teacher—not so much for that but because of his Jewish-sounding name. Yet he was a remarkable teacher, and we were glad he was still with us. The very next day Bion Wilcox, the glue who keeps Sigma Chi’s of long ago together, called to inform me with much sadness that Rabbi was no longer with us. I first became aware of Larry’s astonishing jazz musicianship at Evergreen Jr. High where he played far beyond 9th grader ability. We went to separate high schools, but his reputation spread across Salt Lake Valley. The good fortune came my way to meet up again as Sigma Chi fraternity brothers. Sigma Chi’s really enjoyed singing, and Larry’s adroit keyboard work made it possible. Larry was always in demand. He was on my missionary farewell program. I was looking forward to his playing “I’ll Be Seeing You “ at my life’s farewell, when I thought he’d be seeing me again. Didn’t turn out. Larry, you have had such an uplifting impact on this band of brothers. “We’ll be seeing you in all the old familiar places—and when the moon is new, we’ll be looking at the moon, but we’ll be hearing you.”
I first met Larry in 1972 while I was working at the Hotel Utah and Larry was our advertising representative at Evan’s Advertising. He later joined me at Hotel Utah as the V.P of Marketing. So began our hospitality journey that saw us working together at Hotel Utah, Preferred Hotels, Kahler Hotels and Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort. Over forty years we were sometimes co-workers, sometimes competitors but always great friends. We traveled the country, stayed in the best hotels, ate the best food and he played music wherever we went. I always got a kick out of going into hotel bars with Larry. He only ordered soft drinks, but never made any of us “ drinkers” feel uncomfortable. He was always the life of the party. My two lasting memories of Larry will always be when he played the piano at my wedding in a little old church in Park City. The piano was missing several keys, but Larry made beautiful music and when Larry and I attended a Chubby Checker concert in Boston. It was a magic night. Rest in peace my friend.
Dearest Bette and Jackstien Clan:
Emotions weigh heavy at Larry’s passing. There’s no calming condolence adequate for such profound loss. But, through the mist of tears and torn hearts, please receive our tender attentions and intimate invocations solely focused on your well-being and ultimate happiness.
Guided by The Grace, may you find solace in priceless memories and music that stir your senses and inspire cheerful flashbacks; remembering life is good; there’s light ahead; your gentle Larry is beside you always and forever.
When someone touches us in such a genuine, unique way, we’re never quite the same. That was Larry—generous, caring, crafty, slightly crazy, exceptionally talented and dragging a Steinway. As fair-minded as fair-haired, his soft spoken manner and easy nature made for a 60-year trusted bond. Larry savored life with curiosity, precision, passion and a quest for perfection. His inimitable gifts will be fondly shared with generations through music, media and memory.
I visualize young Larry, seated at the baby grand piano in the Sigma Chi house, irresistibly pounding out a rhythmic, beguiling melody. I see and hear our Sig brothers gathered ‘round Larry—wailing the lyrics to our Sigma Chi Anthem, Del Shannon’s “Run, Run, Runaway.”
Pure magic. Indelibly preserved. Oh, that we could rally once more to re-sing that catchy chorus. During those heady days, we mostly majored in mischief. Yet, we survived and thrived.
Sleep well, sweet Larry. Eternities of miracles, music and mystery lie before us in worlds without number. Kindly hold the gate, old friend. We’re likely not far behind.
With much reflection, love and affection,
Paul & Nancy Engman
Aka “Fledney”
I spent a great deal of time working making music with Larry over many many years. He was a very good friend and I will miss him. At this time my thoughts are with Larry and condolences to his fine family.
Mrs. Jackstien and family,
My sympathies on the passing of your husband, father and grandfather. May his memory be a blessing.
Linda Volmer Auwerda
Mother to Nathan and Emily Auwerda
I started playing music with Larry in my early 20's as an electric bass guitarist recently relocated from Los Angeles. I was quite puzzled that he didn't seem to know any music by Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix or the Rolling Stones. I quickly divined that his music needed an upright bass and began teaching myself. Over literally 100's of gigs together over nearly 3 decades I came to appreciate his very complete knowledge of the keyboard and his unique musical vision. He had a habit of not announcing any song nor its key...he simply started playing. He also played standard songs in unusual keys. Initially frustrating, this later turned out an extremely useful skill later in my career as I accompanied many professional vocalists. Larry also gave me quite a bit of space to develop as a soloist, generous indeed and another career lesson. I put myself thru medical school playing nights with Larry and I greatly appreciated that opportunity. Larry also had an odd habit of carrying an overloaded satchel crammed with music to every gig. It must have weighed 300 pounds and could have been a boat anchor for the Queen Mary. I can count on one hand the times he ever opened it. Where he went musically, I just followed. Larry never did learn any tunes by Jimi Hendrix, my idol, but to quote Jimi: "If I don't see you no more in this life, I'll see you in the next...Don't be late". Let us all look for the good in others and value the example they set and Larry gave us plenty of that.
Performances at restaurant, clubs, schools, concerts, tours, are the wonderful experiences I had with Larry. Such a great player and friend. Couldn't have asked for anything better. The association lasted a long time, from 1962 to almost the present. He taught me a lot, and I hope I gave him some meaningful musical moments in return. Thank you, Larry, for your contributions to my life.
Larry was a towering figure in the Northern Utah music scene. He was well connected and respected by everyone. I first met him when he hired me to play a lunchtime concert, the first of many, in the Student Union building at the U of U. That turned out to be my lucky day, as he began hiring me as his drummer from then on. We played probably a thousand gigs at venues up and down the Wasatch front, the Shakespeare festival sponsor concert in Cedar City, and at least once in St. George at a car dealership's grand opening. Whether at his annual ambitious Winter Solstice concert spanning over two decades, at Snowbird's Aerie lounge (which also featured his fabulous daughter Jill), or during several Daynes Music Hall performances, Larry always played with aplomb and a seasoned command of the Jazz idiom.
He was a great blessing to me (Jay Lawrence). Larry generously hired me to back up numerous celebrities at his Jazz at the Hilton concert series and at the Snowbird Jazz Festival, and to record his innovative combo version CD of "Cuban Fire," among many other opportunities. He particularly enjoyed explaining and demonstrating improvisation, and teaching the historical development of Jazz in many different settings.
Three more interesting facts: If I understand correctly, Larry put together the first High School Superband so that his talented son, Jim, could play with better musicians. Also, Larry was a popular guest on radio shows and even kept a fascinating and esteemed list of the 500 best Jazz records in his expert view. Additionally, it was at the DB Cooper's Jazz Club that I first witnessed Larry executing the tune "Back Home Again in Indiana" with his left hand, and the bop tune "Donna Lee" with his right hand simultaneously, in an almost superhuman fashion!
My one regret is that he contemplated recording some Country songs he had written, but unfortunately, that never materialized.
Mr. Jackstien's stature as a seasoned concert presenter was well known before I even moved to Utah. As a pianist he had ferocious technique, a strong rhythmic swing feel, a penchant for unique and interesting repertoire, and a flair for creating clever musical arrangements. He even wrote an entire Christmas show once, featuring his own arrangements with me on the Vibraphone.
As I got to know and become friends with Larry, I discovered that his prodigious musicianship was frosting on a multi-layered cake that included a wonderfully happy marriage with Bette, a beautiful family, a strong faith as a Latter-Day Saint, and a vibrant, flourishing business career!
Truly, Heaven recently gained a remarkable addition in our dear friend Larry.