Carl Jay Larson

Carl Jay Larson, age 96, passed into the arms of his Heavenly Father and his dear wife, Natalie, on March 17, 2026.

Jay was born June 16, 1929, to Carl Victor and Anna Marie (Dittmer) Larson in Ferron, Emery County, Utah, the second of five children.

Jay grew up during the Great Depression, when survival depended upon hard work, ingenuity, persistence, faith, prayer, and blessings from our Heavenly Father. Jay's father taught his children the value of hard work and to be mindful of and care for the needs of others. His mother instilled the love of music in her children as well as teaching them manners, proper grammar and language skills, and a love of God. Jay had fond memories of his growing-up years in Ferron and working on the farm; he wrote many stories about those adventures.

Jay graduated from South Emery High School and attended Carbon College in Price for two years. Subsequently, he was called on a mission to Tahiti for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he ultimately served three years. His transportation to his Mission was unusual. He was a member of a skeleton crew that sailed a two-masted schooner to Tahiti, which yacht was purchased for the Mission's inter-island transportation. Jay has been forever grateful for his service in Tahiti. He loved the people in French Polynesia with all his heart. He became very fluent in their language and remained so all his life.

Following his mission, Jay was drafted and served in the U.S. Army as a surveyor in Germany, the homeland of three of his grandparents. Upon his discharge from the Army, Jay enrolled at University of Utah and graduated in mechanical engineering. His parents had always encouraged their children to obtain an education.

One of Jay's missionary buddies, Ira Tree and his wife Janice, introduced him to Natalie Knight. He was smitten. They married in the Salt Lake Temple on March 24, 1958 and went on to have five children.

Jay and Natalie taught their family to enjoy the gift and value of hard work, including education, music, caring for their surroundings, gardening, and serving others. They also loved spending time on the farm in Ferron, at the family cabin in the mountains, and in Natalie's hometown of Moab visiting family.

Jay was a talented mechanical engineer and spent most of his career designing nozzles of rocket motors for the nation's missile defense systems.

Jay interrupted his career so that he and Natalie could serve as mission leaders in Tahiti. They loved their missionaries and serving with them. After Jay retired, they were asked to return to Tahiti once again to preside over the Tahiti Papeete Temple. Following that assignment, they enjoyed serving in the Jordan River Temple together for 25 years, Jay being called as a sealer there.

Jay has always loved serving others in many ways, including being a master repairman, building things, and making jewelry from Tahitian mother of pearl for others in his shop. Through his Church callings, friendships, and interactions with a variety of people wherever he went, his life was filled with many adventures. His life stories were very engaging.

He loved all is grandchildren and great-grandchildren and spending time with them. He attended as many of their concerts, theatrical performances, and other activities as possible.

Jay is survived by his children, Mark (Raquel), Lynette Golze (John), Jana Larsen (Wayne-deceased), Kent (Tresa), and Marilee Burgon (Bret); 21 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren; his brother, Neil; his sister, Carol; his sister-in-law, Joyce Larson; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his dear wife, Natalie; his parents, his son-in-law, Wayne; and his granddaughter, Katelyn Larson Cheshire; his sister, Beth Taylor and her husband, Zane; his brother, Arden; and his sister-in-law, Julia.

The family expresses deep gratitude to the loving staff of Aspire Hospice and Legacy House of Taylorsville for giving such wonderful care to Jay during his last two-and-a-half months and to staff of Legacy Village Rehabilitation during his recovery from surgery the month prior.

A service celebrating Jay's life will be held Saturday, March 28, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. in the church located at 619 West 5750 South, Murray, Utah. Viewings will be at the same church on Friday, March 27, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and before the funeral service from 9:30 a.m. to 10:40 a.m. Interment will be in Elysian Gardens, 1075 E 4580 S, Millcreek, UT.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to the Missionary Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or The Other Side Academy (https://).