Brett Gary Larsen

Dr. Brett Gary Larsen, D.O., 36, died peacefully December 13, 2022, in his home with his loving family by his side after a six year battle with cancer.

Brett was born on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1985, in Salt Lake City, Utah to Gary and Becky Larsen. He grew up in Kaysville and attended Davis High School. His childhood was filled with love and laughter. He valued his family and friends, especially his brother, Greg, who was his ninja sidekick. Growing up he loved hitting the slopes, making up games, taking trips and creating his band “Velvet Jones” with his best friends Bryan, Zac, Shawn, and Robert. He played the drums and guitar like a true rockstar.

Brett served an LDS mission to Manaus, Brazil where he became fluent in Portuguese and battled his fear of snakes. After his mission, he started his long and grueling dream of becoming a physician at Brigham Young University. It is there he met and married his “dream girl,” Kylee Marie Cook on August 8, 2009, in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple. He then attended Midwestern University for medical school in Glendale, Arizona. In 2015, Brett and Kylee welcomed their first baby boy, Leo.

In 2017, during his final year of medical school, Brett received the devastating news that he had Stage IV colorectal cancer at the age of 31. He was given a 5% chance of living in the next five years as his cancer had metastasized throughout his body. Brett’s main priority in his life was always his family, and he was determined to provide for them and move forward no matter what the outcome. He courageously started his long battle with cancer with endless rounds of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgeries. His cancer looked as if it was possibly gone, but he continued chemotherapy just in case.

While continuing chemotherapy, Brett also continued his dream of becoming a doctor. He matched into a four-year Anesthesiology residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center and moved to San Antonio, Texas to achieve his dream of becoming not only a physician but an Anesthesiologist. After his intern year Brett received the news that the cancer was not gone, and had now spread to his lungs. Together, Brett and Kylee, decided to keep moving forward in faith. Brett continued his residency while receiving chemotherapy every two weeks while simultaneously working 70+ hour work weeks. His cancer miraculously stabilized for the next three years where they were blessed with twins, Dexter and Penny, in December of 2020.

In August 2022 Brett finished residency, received his doctorate, and achieved his dream of becoming an Anesthesiologist. After accepting a job at the University of Utah as an Anesthesiologist, Brett and his family moved back to Kaysville, Utah. Right after the move to Utah, his cancer quickly became aggressive. Chemotherapy could no longer stop it from progressing. He savored the time he had left with his family and friends with lots of laughter, hugs, and love. On December 13, 2022 Brett was given the peaceful departure from this earth that he wanted. He joined his many loved ones who, we know, have been anxiously waiting to wrap their arms around him. He is finally free of pain and suffering after his long and courageous six year battle with cancer.

Brett’s absolute pride and joy was his family. He loved and thrived being a father. If he wasn’t working or studying, he was throwing Leo in the air or holding Penny upside down or making Dexter giggle uncontrollably. He adored his children and they were his motivation to keep fighting. He could make Kylee laugh and smile at any given moment with his quick wit and inappropriate jokes. Their love for each other was palpable, and they didn’t hold back their admiration for each other. They felt lucky to experience true and unconditional love. They were best friends, and simply enjoyed every moment together while living life with no regrets.

The impact he has left on this world is incomprehensible. He has been a source of inspiration and light to everyone he has come in contact with during his short time he was with us. His unexpected wit and positive demeanor is sorely missed as he made anyone and everyone feel welcome, comfortable, and included. He was selfless, driven, determined and lived his life for his family. He saved lives. He inspired others to have the same bravery when matched with the impossible. He changed the hearts of those around him as they watched someone so wonderful face something so incredibly difficult.

He is so loved and will be missed every day.

Brett is survived by his wife Kylee Marie Larsen; sons, Leo Brett Larsen, 7, and Dexter George Larsen, 2; his daughter, Penny Marie Larsen, 2. Parents, Gary and Becky Larsen; brother, Greg Larsen; sisters, Jolynn Dulay, LuAnn Brashear, and Kalene Zippro. Mother and Father-in-Law, Maresa and Galyn Broers.

Instead of flowers, please donate using Venmo to @kylee-larsen or their GoFundMe at https://gofund.me/67ecdb15

Viewing at Russon Mortuary
Monday, December 19th from 6:00-8:00pm
1941 N Main St, Farmington, UT 84025

Viewing & Funeral Service
Tuesday, December 20th
9:45-10:45am—Viewing
11:00am—Funeral Service
LDS Chapel
235 Bonneville Lane, Kaysville, UT 84037

The ward will be providing streaming of the services using the following link. https://zoom.us/j/98486261061