Gary Lee Larkins

Gary Lee Larkins, 83, passed away on May 5th, 2026, in South Ogden, Utah. Gary was born on January 26th,1943 to Clifton and Virginia Larkins in Kaysville, Utah.

Gary was the second of four children and was a hard worker from a young age. He mowed the lawn at his grandma’s house, worked alongside his family each year as they cut and sold Christmas trees on their property and held an early morning paper route come rain or shine for many years. Every day during his paper route, he’d bike to the Larkins Cafe where the owners, his uncles and aunt, always had a donut and hot fudge sundae waiting for him.

Gary loved basketball and played all three years at Davis High School. In his senior year they won the State Championship. Gary met his wife, Trudy Smith, when they were both sophomores at Davis High and were sweethearts from that day forward. They were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on September 5th, 1963.

After receiving his Bachelor's in Accounting and then graduating first in his class with a Masters of Business Administration at the University of Utah, Gary and Trudy moved with their baby, Heidi, to Glendale, CA in 1966 to work at Haskins and Sells as a CPA. They welcomed three more children in CA: Heather, Hilary, and Bradley. They moved to Valencia, CA in 1971 and the Santa Clarita Valley would be their home for the next 50 years. During that time, Gary proved himself as a successful businessman and joined House of Fabrics as CFO, later becoming President & CEO.

Throughout his life, Gary willingly answered the Lord’s call including Bishop of the Newhall ward, Bishop of the Santa Clarita YSA ward, and President of the Santa Clarita California Stake. Gary then served in the Los Angeles temple for many years as a Sealer. Gary and Trudy then faithfully accepted the calling to serve as Mission Presidents in Singapore from 2000-2003. Their mission covered six countries including Singapore, East and West Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. They were the first two representatives of the church to enter Pakistan after 9/11. After their mission, Gary served as 2nd counselor in the Los Angeles Temple Presidency and continued on as a sealer in LA, and later in the St. George temple.

Gary was a man of integrity and someone who lived a Christ-like life. His strong testimony and unshakable love for the Everlasting Gospel of Jesus Christ helped countless other people feel the love of the Savior and helped them continue along the covenant path. When he was set apart as a stake president, the general authority, Mark E Petterson, said, “this is truly a man without guile.” His greatest joys were the Dodgers (as long as they won), basketball, golf (with 3 holes-in-one!), vacationing at the Grand Tetons and, most importantly, spending time with his wife Trudy and family. Trudy was everything to Gary.

Gary is survived by his wife, Trudy Larkins; his 4 children, Heidi Cawley (Martin), Heather Riddle (Donald), Hilary Masino (Ron), and Bradley Larkins (Mandy); his 15 grandchildren; and his 20 great-grandchildren. Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Clifton and Virginia Larkins, and his brother, Mike Larkins.

Funeral services will be held Saturday May 16, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1401 E. South Weber Drive, South Weber, Utah. Friends and family may visit with family prior to services from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church. Interment Kaysville City Cemetery.