Robert Kent Larsen

Robert Kent Larsen

Manti, UT

Robert Kent Larsen born November 15, 1944, passed away March 20, 2018 in his home after a long and valiant battle with cancer. Kent is the son of Lendal and Jewel King Larsen. He was born in Ephraim, UT. He went to Manti High School, where he was active in student government, sports, and drama. He married his high school sweetheart, Camille Johnson, in 1965 in the Manti Temple (53 years). He attended Snow College and the University of Utah where he studied business; while in college, he worked at Meadow Gold delivering milk. He fulfilled an 8-year enlistment in the Utah National Guard. After graduating from college, they moved home to raise turkeys and kids. He worked at the Moroni Turkey Plant as HR Director, Sperry-Univac as HR Director, and then Workforce Services as an employment specialist.

He modeled service throughout his life. He started young by serving as student body president in middle school, student body president in high school, and bishop at age 23. He served two terms on Manti City Council and two terms as mayor of Manti. He was a member of the Manti City Aquatics Board, the Snow College Institutional Council, the Citizens Advisory Board of the CUCF, the Rotary Club, and the Sanpete Community Training Center Board. He served again as bishop of a YSA ward and in a stake presidency there. He finished off his lifelong church service by serving a mission with his wife in South and North Dakota. His service to the community was recognized by the presentation of a candle at the annual Yuletide Candlelighting ceremony and by the Utah National Guard for "Service Above Self."

He is best known as an adoring husband, father, and grandfather. He was the ultimate patriarch who modeled patience, love, virtue, kindness, charity, acceptance, generosity. He lived with a smile on his face, a twinkle in his eye, and no pretension in his heart. He loved people, horses, reading, traveling, cheering on his grandkids, and spending time with family.

He is survived by his wife, Camille Johnson Larsen;  children: Melanie (Mitch) Jenkins, Manti; Kelly (Bret) Ashton, Gunnison; Heather (Jason) Nelson, Lehi; Robert Kent (Carrie) Larsen, Manti; and Justin (Kristen) Larsen, Cody, WY; 18 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters, Margie Lyon and Phyllis Embley, and two brothers, Grant Larsen and Ron Larsen.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Tom Thompson and Merrill Thomspon.

Funeral services will be held Monday, March 26 at 11:00a.m. in the Manti Stake Center. Viewings will be held Sunday, March 25 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. and prior to services on Monday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Interment will be in the Manti City Cemetery. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com