Coping with Grief
We would like to offer our sincere support to anyone coping with grief. Enter your email below for our complimentary daily grief messages. Messages run for up to one year and you can stop at any time. Your email will not be used for any other purpose.
Larry Cliff Folkman (76) passed away on January 6, 2021 in his home. He was born in Ogden, UT on February 23, 1944 to Clifford George Folkman and Lillian Marie Pearce. Following the tragic death of his mother when he was 4 years old, he was raised by his maternal grandparents, Raymond Lamar Pearce and Julia Marie Troseth. He was remembered as being very bright, even as a child, and a bit hard to discipline because of his eager and determined spirit. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and joked about being known as the oldest Deacon in the Church.
He attended Ogden High School and joined the Navy at the age of 18. This was the beginning of his life-long career on the ocean and working his way up in education and rank to achieve the highest license of Chief Marine Engineer – Steam/Diesel Unlimited Horsepower. This qualified him to Engineer any U.S. Flag Ship in the world, and afforded him opportunities for high-level education, military service, stimulating work and adventures all across the globe. While most of his time was spent on Destroyer ships, Oil Tankers, and Military Intelligence ships (active duty during the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Vietnam War and the Persian Gulf War), he spoke most fondly of his 4 month voyage on the USS Southern Cross, (leaving the U.S. and making stops in Antarctica, New Zealand, Stockholm, Israel, and many ports in-between.) He was good with computers, loved being on the water, and hungered after adventure and learning. His strong work-ethic and efforts for achievement were balanced somewhat by brief stints of wild-and-free living; joining the hippie crowd at Haight-Ashbury, SCUBA diving, white-water gold mining, prospecting for gold and gems, camping and boating, taunting sea lions, and discovering new (and sometimes dangerous) places. He was a treasure hunter at heart, and remained curious about cultures and collections of unique items throughout his life. This life-long curiosity filled him with endless stories and interesting facts.
Larry married Suzanne Griffiths in 1965 and together they had a son, Brad. The marriage was short, and Larry’s greatest reported loss was that of time and relationship with his only boy, who despite not being raised by him, grew to look, sound, and behave very much the same. This pleased him and gave him a sense of connection until their relationship could be nurtured later on in his life. Larry was passionate about the things that were important to him and after his retirement from the military in the 1990’s he was able to begin exploring family relationships and friendships with adventure-seeking buddies. His family came first and his presence was usually accompanied by a great story, a handful of jokes, and hugs for everyone. He especially enjoyed spending time with his grandkids and captured many moments with his camera at sporting events, of Halloween costumes, and on Christmas morning. His family taught him how to say, I love you, and he used the words frequently. His heart was as big as he was and he loved with every ounce of it.
Larry is preceded in death by his father Clifford George Folkman and his mother Lillian Marie Pearce; as well as his grandparents, and aunts & uncles/“siblings”, Lamar, Wanda (David Taylor) and Richard Pearce.
Larry is lovingly remembered by his son and daughter-in-law Brad & Lauralee Larson, his eight grandchildren and their spouses, and four great grandchildren: Josh & Jessica (Trey and Lilly), Jake, Whitney (Jaylon), Lindsy & Jared Barton (Roy), Kaylee & Joseph Broadhead, Jeremy, Jaxon, and Brecka. He is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Janet & Lynn Ellis, and their 4 children and families: Brady & Karen Ellis, Amanda & Del Dabb, Aimee & Mike Broadbent, and Kyle & Kaedell Ellis; and his brother and sister-in-law, Kenneth and Robbyn Folkman and their children.
The family visitation will be held at the Holbrook Mortuary (3251 S 2300 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84109) on Thursday, January 14, 2021 from 12-12:45pm. Followed by a family funeral service at 1pm. The funeral will be broadcast live at www.HolbrookMortuary.com and will be available to watch online for 90 days after the funeral. To watch the funeral scroll to the bottom of his obituary page on the mortuary website.
Graveside services will take place at the Utah Veteran’s Memorial Park at Camp Williams, Bluffdale, Utah.
Pallbearers will be: Joshua Larson, Jacob Larson, Jaxon Larson, Jared Barton, Joseph Broadhead, Lynn Ellis, Brady Ellis, Kyle Ellis, Del Dabb, Michael Broadbent