Larry Jay Darton

Lawrence “Larry” Jay Darton, age 94, passed away September 25, 2026, in Draper, Utah. 

Larry was born in Blanding, Utah on December 11, 1931, to Klin and Nila Darton. Hewas the fifth of nine children. 

Larry joined the US Air Force at the age of 17. He honorably served from 1949 to 1952 and worked on B-29 airplanes. He also started radio school until the Korean War began and then returned to the B-29 airplanes, working as part of a bomber squad. After his military service he was called serve in the Brazilian Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He loved his mission and carried around his missionary name tag until the day he passed. After returning from his mission, he worked for Boeing and then 15 years at Hill Air Force Base as a civilian. Larry attended Weber State University where he earned his Bachelor of Science Degree. He later obtained his Master of Arts in Management Degree from University of Phoenix. He was a devoted teacher for over 25 years. Larry taught in Wyoming for four years and then spent the remainder of his career teaching in the Jordan School District. He made a positive impact on many of his students. Larry loved to share his life experiences with everyone he met. He enjoyed fishing, dancing, singing, telling tall tales, dad jokes, doing puzzles, traveling, and going for rides through the canyons. He lived each day to work hard, be self-reliant, and independent, just as his parents taught him. 

Larry married Helen Law on October 14, 1955, in the Salt Lake Temple and they had six children together. They later divorced. 

He met the love of his life, Kay, on the dance floor. After a loving courtship, they married on September 17, 1976, in the Salt Lake Temple. They would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary just days before he passed. Throughout their marriage, Larry and Kay were always holding hands. In their later years, they served a mission together in the California Los Angeles Mission at the Family History Center from 1998 to 2000. They enjoyed serving the people of southern California. They also loved to travel and made it to forty-nine states and many parts of Canada. One of Larry’s favorite destinations was traveling to Alaska and fishing with Kay.

Larry was a loving and devoted father to Steven F. Darton (Paula), Shyvonne M. Stutes (Rolin), Lawrence K. “Larry Klin” Darton (Shauna), Kayleen Webb (Thaes III “Sandy”), Kristine Daley, and Douglas W. Darton (Blenda). He loved Kay’s children as if they were his own. Kathalene “Kathy” Domgaard (Paul), Gregory J. Bardin (Jill), Cindy Mikesell (Steven). He was also a fun-loving grandpa to his thirty-two grandchildren, sixty-two great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren; who all love and adore him. Several grandchildren refer to him as Grandpa Sheep as he often walked them across the street to feed the neighbor’s sheep. He also cherished the time he has recently spent with his sister Florance Green. 

He was preceded in death by his sweetheart Leona Kay, his parents, his son Larry Klin, his daughter Kathy, seven of his siblings and their spouses, Helen Lucille (Donald) Spiers, Mona Eloise (Harold) Madsen, Klin James Jr. (Carol), Ramon V. (Joan), Ruth Joy (Wesley) Burr, Arlene Ouellette, and infant sister Inez Faye, brother-in-law, Almon “Red” V. Green, son-in-law Rolin Stutes, and grandson Jeremy Webb. 

Our family would like to express our gratitude to all those who assisted Larry these past few years: the staff and residents at Legacy Retirement Residence, Busy Bee Nursing, The Ashford of Draper, and Renew Hospice. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Primary Children’s Hospital or your local Meals on Wheels program.

Service Details: An evening viewing will be held on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at McDougall Funeral Home located at 4330 S Redwood Road, Taylorsville, Utah. There will also be a viewing on Thursday, October 1, 2026, from 10:00 - 10:45 am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 12830 South 2700 West, Riverton, Utah 84065. The funeral service will follow at 11:00 am. Interment will be at the Riverton City Cemetery. You may livestream the service using the following link: 

https://zoom.us/j/97882819583