Larry Davis

On Wednesday, January 5, 2022, Larry Draper Davis—husband, father, grandpa, friend, river runner, woodworker, Dutch oven cook, archaeologist, and teacher—died at his home in Boulder, Utah with his wife, Judi Davis, by his side. Larry was born September 24, 1937 in Price, Utah to John H. and Stella Draper Davis. He lived in Hiawatha, Utah until he was a teenager, at which time his family moved to Price, Utah. Larry graduated from Carbon High School, attended Carbon College, and went on to get his Masters degree in archaeology from Brigham Young University. Larry married Judith Jones on September 9, 1966 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Together they raised four children. Larry worked as a boatman on the Green and Yampa rivers and ran the Colorado River before the Glen Canyon dam was built. He was also instrumental in the rescue of his group when they became stranded after attempting to be the first group to run the Rio Urique in Copper Canyon in Mexico. Larry and Judi moved to Boulder, Utah in 1970 where he accepted a position as manager of the newly-opened Anasazi State Park. Larry spent his 30-year career in this position, where his passion for the Anasazi Indians earned him the friendship and admiration of countless people around the world. Larry was a builder and experienced woodworker. He built the home he and Judi shared for 39 years, and gave away innumerable carvings and bowls to people in the area. A master of the one-liner, Larry was an excellent storyteller and often laughed the hardest at his own jokes and stories. His family loved to listen when he and his brother Roger reminisced about their childhoods. He and his wife Judi were well known for their famous banana/bandana comedy routine. Larry was a man of faith. He is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he served in the Bishopric and as a High Councilman. His lathe is silent now and his chisels stored away; the living room is unusually quiet without the sound of Larry’s laughter, but we are confident that Larry has a fire going and is sitting around it telling stories and laughing with friends and loved ones who went on before. He is survived by his wife Judi, their children Stacy, Sean (Liz), Heather (Brandon) and Jennifer (Brandon); 13 grandchildren; and a brother, Roger. Larry was preceded in death by his parents John and Stella Davis; an infant granddaughter, Kate Plumb; and his brother Jon. Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 22, 2022 at 1:00 P.M. in the Boulder LDS Ward Chapel, where friends may call for viewing from 10:00 to 12:30 prior to the services. Interment in the Boulder Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.