Events
LaVarre Johnson Walter Sr. was born on October 7, 1927, at the Cottonwood Stake Maternity Home in Murray, Utah. He was the third of four children of Clement Edward and Ruby Anne Johnson. He passed away quietly in the early hours of Sunday, February 16, 2025 at the age of 97.
His family lived in a few locations in Salt Lake City, including a couple of stints in the Avenues neighborhood, and in Denver, CO where Clement had earlier moved for his career. LaVarre graduated from Steele Elementary, Morey Junior High and South High, all in Denver. During this time, he also was a member of the Highlander’s Boys Organization, playing the trumpet in the group’s Military Band and later a member of the ROTC. When he was just 17 years old his father passed away while at work because of heart failure.
In 1944, just shy of ½ credit to graduate from South High as a Junior, he did a concurrent enrollment at Brigham Young University to earn his diploma from South and start his college training at BYU. During his 2nd year at BYU, with the USA at war in WWII he underwent a pre-induction physical exam for military service and was given a deferment until the end of the year for service in the US Army.
Upon advice from his brother, he enrolled in the US Navy and after boot camp was deployed to Pearl Harbor, HI as a Naval Aerographer (Weatherman). With the conclusion of the war, he was honorably discharged in 1947.
The next few years provided the foundation for much of his life to come. In 1947, he first met Fern Elaine Carlow. Upon his discharge from the Navy, he enrolled at the University of Utah in the beginning of 1948. At the end of that year, he was called on a mission to the Western Canadian Mission, where he served until the end of 1950. He had dated Fern prior to leaving on his mission and a year into his own mission, Fern was called to the Eastern Canadian Mission where she served in 1950 and 1951. A year after Fern returned from her mission in December 1952 he proposed and the two were married in the Salt Lake Temple on September 11, 1953. The next June he graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in Chemical Engineering and started working for Mountain Fuel Supply, a natural gas utility and exploration company.
The two had six children, 2 girls and 4 boys. He was always active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints fulfilling callings as a Scoutmaster, Bishopric member, member of the stake High Council among others. In Fall 1965 until Spring 1969, while working full-time he enrolled in the University of Utah’s Master of Engineering Administration program and graduated with a master’s degree.
Fern and LaVarre served a mission in the Quezon City West and San Fernando Missions from May 1990 through November 1991. LaVarre served as a District President.
LaVarre cherished his family deeply. He enjoyed traveling with his wife, Fern. He made it a priority to attend and be present for all of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren’s significant life events. He would send them all birthday, Valentine, Easter, 4th of July, Halloweeen and Christmas cards. Notably, all missionaries received weekly letters from their Grandpa.
At age 87, he invented a derivative version of Sudoku called Sukocross and ran a successful Kickstarter Campaign selling out his initial book of puzzles.
He was pleasant and thoughtful throughout his life. He had an incredible memory and knew by name and association all of 135 descendants and their spouses. He made formative decisions in his 20’s and stuck with them for a distinguished life of devotion to God, love of family, and respect and service for others.
He was preceded in death by his wife and soulmate: Fern Carlow, his parents: Clement Edward and Ruby Anne Johnson, sister Betty Mae Huish (Lamar Huish) and his brothers Garth (Thelma) and Keith (Jackie), daughter-in-law Gwen Smith Walter (first wife of Steven Walter), granddaughter, Emily Walter, Great Granddaughters Mara Adams, Everly Fern Walter, and Esther Fern Walter.
He is survived by his sister-in-law: Carolyn Carlow and close friend Sheryl Boehme. He is also survived by his 6 children and spouses: Cindy (Mike) Goleman, Trina (Jay) Bair, LaVarre Jr (Sharon), Brent (Marilyn), Steven (Becky), Mark (Jill), 27 Grandchildren and 68 Great Grandchildren and three on the way.
Special thanks to the professionals at Sunrise of Sandy Assisted Living and Inspiration Hospice. Much care and devotion was provided to both Fern and LaVarre over many months. Inspiration Hospice has been extremely attentive to LaVarre over the past few months and we express our appreciation to all involved.
There will be a viewing Saturday, February 22, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 pm at the church building at 10312 Ashley Park Drive, Sandy, Utah. Funeral services will be held at the same location and same day immediately following at 1:00 p.m. Interment to follow services at Holladay Memorial Cemetery, 4900 South Memory Lane, Holladay, Utah.
Guestbook/Condolences
We live Uncle LaVarre so much! What a great man. I am so thankful he lived such a good, long life. I am sure he was taken back to Our loving Father in Heaven just when he was meant too. I know Aunt Fern was so happy to come and get him to take him home!
I am so sorry we can’t be at the funeral. It breaks my heart. Our Natalie is having her 40th Birthday party on that day. Her first party ever as an adult. We have been planning this for months.
I know your Dad would understand and want us to be with our whole family. he was ne of the most understanding and kind people We know. the other being his wife. What great people. Such an example to us! Love you all, Richard and Jodie Herpel
LaVarre ate dinner at the same table most every night, which gave me a front row seat to hear his great stories of the past and present!
He was a sweet man with a kind disposition. He would always say, "well, here we are, back and at 'em". Or my absolute favorite, "More fun than Lagoon!"
I knew he was dearly loved as he got the best mail from a multitude of extended family.
LaVarre, I hope you are having a fantastic, long overdue reunion with your father, mother and (of course) dear wife!
Truly, more fun than Lagoon!
LaVarre Walter and family were such a great example to me. I love the whole family and thank Heavenly Father for the blessing they have been to me.
Beloved Scoutmaster, who taught all us boys by how he lived. As I served as Scoutmaster, he was always in my memory and I I felt his example guiding me.
With love and deep appreciation.
Paul Mower
When I was a young man and began to serve as a Home Teacher I was assigned to accompany LaVar Walter. He was a kind and gentle soul. I was so young and green that going out to visit members of the Ensign 3rd Ward was a new and intimidating experience. After our first evening out and we completed our assignments Brother Walter said, let’s go to the 6th Avenue Rexall Drug Store soda fountain for a treat. We sat down on the swivel stools at the counter and LaVar ordered, “Two fresh limeades, please.” I had never of heard of those before, let alone had one. When the cold, fresh limeade were delivered, man oh man, those’d tasted so good. LaVar’s thoughtfulness in giving me a treat after my first venture out made me feel like a grown up. Also, LaVar had a little expression he’d use during our visits with our Home Teaching families. Invariably the visits with adults would often result in light discussions and small talk about the ups and downs of life. Lavar would say, “We’re too soon old; and too late smart.” And he give the word “smart” an accent, as in, schmart. I am very thankful for LaVar Walter and his fine example to me. Fern & LaVar were such faithful members. You could always count on them. God bless their children, descendents and loved ones in this time of grief. - Jay Marvin Mower