Larry Ray Greenwood

Richfield, Utah – My name is Larry Ray Greenwood, a 42-year resident of Richfield. If you are reading this, it means that my brain cancer, Gliobastoma Multiformae, hastened my return to my Heavenly Father way too soon at age 65. I reluctantly left mortality Monday morning, September 16, 2019 in Centerfield. I was born in Aspen, Colorado on August 1, 1954. My father, the Reverend Bronston M. Greenwood of Kansas, and my mother, Carrol L. Rhoton Greenwood of Oklahoma, “raised me right.” As a “preacher’s kid” I was expected to “tow the line” or not get caught! The Methodist Ministry took our family to Ogden while I was in Junior high school. I graduated from Ogden High School, Ogden, Utah, class of 1972. Sports were my life. Proudly, at age 64, I could still snap-up my lettermen’s jacket! In 1974, I received my Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Utah State University in Logan. While in college and after, I worked in the Uinta Basin Office of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. I earned my Master’s degree in Botany and Range Science in 1977 from Brigham Young University in Provo. I determined to “get my degree without those Mormons getting me!” A classmate I tried to impress had no regard for “my rude and ungrateful attitude.” Melinda Louise Hurst of San Jose, California took the gamble and married me September 10, 1977 in the mountains east of Ogden in a ceremony performed by my father. I gained a testimony of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. I was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints May 26, 1978 in Blanding. Melinda and I were sealed forever in the Los Angeles Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, December 28, 1979. I joined the Bureau of Land Management in Richfield as a Wildlife Biologist June 6, 1977. I am still at my dream job with 42 years of service. Co-workers named me “Plaid Larry”…no shirts of stripes or solids! As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it has been my pleasure to serve in many callings. The scouting programs a 20-year favorite. My passion is my entire family. I am devout in my church. Being out in nature sustains me; camping, fishing, hunting, antler studies, collecting rocks and identifying every plant I see. Playing games with my grandchildren renews me, and I love my friends. I leave behind my beautiful spouse Melinda, and four devoted children: Chad Derek (Tara) Greenwood of Spanish Fork; Shane Jason (Marlene) Greenwood of Monroe; Paige Asheley (Dallin) Barnes of Washington City; Aubrei Jill Raymundo of Fairview. I am blessed to “know” my 12 grandchildren; 2 deceased, one on the way. I will miss my father-in-law: Bruce Parley Hurst and my mother-in-law: Elaine Hurst, both of Salem. My brothers: Bronston (Ann) Greenwood of Tucson Arizona; Charles (Fonda) Greenwood of Fruitland. Inlaw siblings include: Jim (Debbie) Hurst of LaVerkin; Kathy (Dennis) Cosby of Blanding; Kent (Elaine) Hurst of Columbia, Tennessee; Todd (Toni) Hurst of Blanding; JoAnna (Randy) Hall of Payson; Laura (Ben) Caler of Lehi; Jason (Paige) Hurst of Spanish Fork; and my cousins, nieces, nephews, and surviving aunts and uncles. I am preceded in death by my father, mother, mother-in-law: Louise Sessions Porter, and my grandparents. I sincerely thank the caring personnel at The Huntsman Cancer Center and University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake City; At Home Health Care and Hospice in Salina; Gunnison Valley Hospital Home Care and Hospice in Gunnison; Mission at Community Rehabilitation and Assisted Living, especially “Haley”, in Centerfield. A “Celebration of Life” will be held Saturday, September 28, at 4:00 P.M. at the Richfield 11th Ward chapel, 400 West 1040 South in Richfield. Following the services, Larry requested a “big feed” in the cultural hall for all in attendance. “As sure as life begins, life must end. It is what takes place in between these two events that really matters!” Services are under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah. Gratitude is due to the compassionate and professional personnel at the Springer Turner Funeral Home and the Wasatch Cremation Center in Spanish Fork.