Larry Leon Piatt

Larry Leon Piatt, our favorite leftie and sports enthusiast, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on 12 Aug 2021, after battling Alzheimer’s for several years.

Larry was born on 5 May 1938 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Leon Lafayette and Hazel Frances (Hile) Piatt. At a young age Larry gained a love for baseball from spending time with his father who coached him in Little League. In 1956, Larry was in the first graduating class of Northwest Classen High School. He earned a master’s degree in geology from Oklahoma University and worked as a geologist at Texaco Oil for several years. He later left his lucrative career and ventured to Utah to pursue his passion for family history. He attended BYU and received a second bachelor’s degree – this time in genealogy.

Larry was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at age 42 and remained a devoted member throughout his life, serving in many callings.

Larry married Dolly Sue Worthington on 6 Jun 1980, and they were later sealed in the Jordan River temple on 6 Mar 1984. Larry instantly became a father to Dolly’s children, John, Shauna, and Justin, and he loved them completely. Eventually, Larry and Dolly welcomed daughter, Emily, and son, Jacob.

Larry had an incredible mind; he was a human ‘Google’ when it came to genealogical or sports statistics. He was a die-hard college sports fan and had a brilliant talent for contributing relevant sports data to any topic of conversation. Example: when asked if he had plans for the weekend, his reply would have been something like, “Same thing as OU Coach Switzer did this very weekend in 1985... I’m getting ready for the big game!” Larry remained a devoted Sooner and Cougar fan, often wearing both blue and crimson sports attire simultaneously. But the only two times in history that BYU played OU, Larry attended in person and cheered for his alma mater, The Sooners.

Larry was a highly respected AG® (accredited) genealogist. He was a member of various organizations and taught classes at Worldwide Genealogical conferences. He was part owner for many years of the Institute of Family Research and served as president from 1978-1980, and later worked for the Family History Library (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) in management and other various capacities until he retired in 2010. Some of his career highlights include managing teams of professional researchers who completed family history projects for Johnny Carson, Alex Haley, Elvis Presley, and Walt Disney. In 1977, Alex Haley appeared on the Tonight Show and presented Johnny Carson with his personal family history, which Larry and a team of researchers impressively produced in just 48 hours after a last-minute request from Mr. Haley. Johnny Carson was rendered speechless, which was a rare event!

Upon Larry’s retirement, he received a letter from The First Presidency of the LDS Church which read, “Your life-long dedication to family history and research has blessed the lives of thousands of members and patrons around the globe as they searched for their kindred dead and provided them with saving temple ordinances.”

Larry served for many years as an officer in the Sons of The American Revolution organization, including president of the Utah Chapter.

Larry is survived by his wife, Dolly Worthington Piatt, and his children, John Yorgason, Shauna Nemelka (Jeff Arnold), Justin Yorgason, Emily Piatt (Scott Newton) and Jacob (Mei-Lynne) Piatt. He has 14 grandchildren: Jessica, Jacob, and Joshua Yorgason; Jordan, Jessica, and Anna Nemelka; Bryce, Tony, and Savannah Yorgason; Hyrum Yates and Linsey James; Ruben, Dylan and Kaili Piatt, and 2 step-grandchildren: Nick Barrick and Adam Newton.

Larry is preceded in death by his parents Lafe and Hazel Piatt, and his granddaughter Elaine Yorgason.

We would like to thank our beloved friends and family who have supported Larry throughout his lifetime, especially Dave Zolman (his brother from another mother), and all the medical staff at Anthology Memory Care of South Jordan who cared for him this past year.

Viewings will be Wednesday, August 18th from 6:00-8:00 pm at the Larkin Mortuary Riverton Chapel (3688 W. 12600 S. in Riverton), and Thursday, August 19th from 9:30-10:30 am at Larkin Sunset Gardens, (1950 E. Dimple Dell Road in Sandy). Following Thursday’s viewing, funeral services will begin at 11:00 am and conclude with the interment. Masks optional.

The funeral will be streamed via Zoom at this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82652664003

A Zoom account is required to access the service. Meeting ID: 826 5266 4003