Lawrence George “Larry” Hunter, age 76, passed away on November 16, 2024, following a brief illness. He was born in Salt Lake City on January 17, 1948, to James Albert Hunter and Clara Milicent Kobs Hunter.
Larry attended Stewart School, at the University of Utah, from kindergarten through 9th grade and made lifelong friends. He graduated from East High School where he played varsity football and enjoyed singing in various school choirs. He attended First Baptist Church where he enjoyed playing basketball and softball. He was also active in Demolay at the Salt Lake Masonic Temple.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in German at Westminster College, Larry also went on to complete an MBA. He had a successful insurance agency and worked for Farmers Insurance Group until retirement.
Larry married Ruth Henneman on June 12, 1982. They loved their lives with each other and time spent with family and friends. He cared deeply about all of his relationships with others. Larry was “The Great Communicator” and kept in touch with everyone. Their son James brought great joy into their lives as did his daughter Stephanie, and some of Larry’s favorite moments were spent with his grandchildren.
He was very active in the greater Salt Lake City community, serving as President of the Salt Lake Jaycees and as Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 410. He was an avid golfer and played in the men’s league at Forest Dale Golf Course. Various church softball leagues benefitted from his pitching and playing skills, and he was a lifelong bridge player.
Larry was a member of Christ United Methodist Church. He attended regularly and served on many church committees.
Spending time in the outdoors was a favorite pastime, and he enjoyed frequent fishing and camping trips with friends and family members.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents and brothers James F. Hunter and John Wesley Hunter, and sister Margaret Bond. Survived by wife Ruth Henneman, sister Virginia Schimmel, sisters-in-law Judy Hunter and Lynn Hunter, brother-in-law Richard Bond, son James Hunter (Kristin), grandsons Kaiden and Declan, daughter Stephanie Hunter, grandsons Jackson and Andrew, son Zachary Hunter, and many nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, December 7, at 2:00 p.m. at Christ United Methodist Church, 2375 East 3300 South, Millcreek, UT. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society or your favorite charity.
Caroline Klas (Chang)
I met Larry at Stewart in Junior High, so have known him for over 60 years. I moved to California in 1970, but we still kept in touch at our many Stewart/East reunions. Larry was funny, silly, and so very tall!! My condolences to his wonderful wife, Ruth, and to his children and grandchildren. Lawrence, you'll be missed!
Caroline Klas Chang
Dennis G. Lawrence
I have many memories of Larry. We grew up in the neighborhood below the University of Utah less than a block from each other. In those days, with all the western shows on TV, we played cowboys & Indians, terrorizing the neighborhood with others. There was a large Box Elder tree on the back of my home. We played in that tree all the time. One day Larry watched me from the ground saw a branch near the top. I was over 20 feet up. I slipped and fell to the ground, landing face down and passing out. He ran to my mother. I will forever be thankful he was there, or I may not have survived.
He was my lifelong insurance man until he retired. I will miss all our long conversations about our old friends. My love and best to his family.