Laurence "Larry" J. Riding

Known for his devotion to family and faith, his unflagging work ethic, his love of the outdoors, and his mischievous grin, Laurence J. “Larry” Riding died peacefully on Friday, February 27, 2026 after suffering a cerebral aneurysm.

Larry was born in Escalante, Utah, on January 22, 1939, to DeFoy LaMar and Emily (Foreman) Riding, the first of their 12 children. He spent his early childhood living with his parents in a rustic tent near Parleys Summit while his father worked on improvements to the Parleys Canyon section of U.S. Route 40. His family later moved to Salt Lake City, where his father worked as a mechanic and his mother as a nurse.

During his youth Larry was active in scouting, earning the rank of Eagle Scout and teaching lifesaving courses. He graduated from Granite High School, where he ran track, played saxophone in the school band, and met the love of his life, Lynne Erickson. The two married in the Salt Lake Temple on July 2, 1958 and spent the next 67 years together.

Although he earned a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and Entomology at the University of Utah and a Master of Public Health at Brigham Young University, there was never any doubt where Larry’s true loyalty lay—he always wore red when the rivals met on the basketball court or the football field.

Larry enjoyed a long career at Salt Lake’s VA hospital, as x-ray technician and chief technologist in the Radiology Department, and later as Deputy Director at the Regional Medical Education Center. He also served on the Board of Directors of the VA Credit Union for many years.

After hours, Larry renovated homes and offices. He was a skilled craftsman who built a number of custom houses, including his own home in Sandy, which he and his family enjoyed for 50 years. Eventually Larry started his own construction business, LJ Repairs and Construction, working alongside his brother Ed. He retired, reluctantly, in 2019, when he began showing signs of early dementia. Larry’s children and grandchildren pride themselves on the skills they acquired from working with him.

While Larry was an incredibly hard worker, he also loved to escape to the outdoors with his family. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, hiking, and horseback riding, and his extended family shares especially fond memories of annual trips to Paradise Park Reservoir in the High Uinta Mountains. Larry also delighted in traveling within the U.S. and abroad.

Larry was a steadfast member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He held a number of church callings, including High Councilor and Bishop. He and Lynne also served a Salt Lake Inner-City mission.

Larry is survived by his loving wife Lynne Erickson Riding; his children L. Don Riding, St. Louis, Missouri; Kent Riding (Kelli), Memphis, Tennessee; Debra Riding (Oliver Barton), Branford, Connecticut; and Kari Russell (Todd), Sandy, Utah; 11 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; and 9 siblings. He was predeceased by his parents and two siblings, LaRae Bunting Kirkman and Bill F. Riding.

The family wishes to thank those who provided such compassionate care for Larry at the end of his life, including friends and neighbors, and the staffs at IMC and Inspiration Hospice.

A viewing will be held from 6:00 to 8:00pm on Friday, March 6, at the Crescent South Stake Center, 275 East 10600 South in Sandy. There will also be a viewing from 9:30 to 10:15am on Saturday, March 7, directly preceding the funeral service, which will begin at 10:30am at the same location. The burial will follow at the Memorial Mountain View Cemetery, 3115 Bengal Boulevard in Cottonwood Heights.

For streaming of service please go to the following link: https://zoom.us/j/97292166154?pwd=K2oa4n3A7yHV8zyLXtf9pjcZ3UYbC7.1 

The passcode is: 030726