Dennis Proctor Larkin

Dennis Proctor Larkin

1935-2022

FARMINGTON, UT

Dennis Proctor Larkin, of Holladay, UT passed away at the age of 87 on September 9, 2022 in Farmington, Utah surrounded by his loving family.

Dennis was born on Mother’s Day, May 12, 1935, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He is the son of Floyd Laverne Larkin and Velma Catherine Forgy Larkin. He was the apple of his mother’s eye. Dennis graduated from Whitefish Bay High School in 1952, from the University of Michigan with a bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture in 1958, and from the University of California at Berkeley in 1960 with a master’s degree in City Planning.  He enjoyed a successful career in that field.

When Mary Christine Fulton walked into his Beta Theta Pi fraternity house at the University of Michigan, Dennis made sure to meet her. The feelings were mutual! They were married in Birmingham, Michigan on June 20, 1959.

Dennis and Mary raised their three daughters in Kentucky, Ohio, and Michigan before moving to Holladay, Utah.  Though they loved every place they lived, they always felt like Midwesterners at heart.

After joining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1965, they were sealed to each other and their daughters in the Salt Lake Temple in 1975. Dennis had a fervent testimony of Jesus Christ and His gospel.  He served as a Bishop, and in 1998 he and Mary accepted a mission call in Public Affairs to Hong Kong, China.  They grew to love the people of Asia and came back with treasures to remember their life-changing experience there. 

Dennis liked to sing, run, go boating and fishing, golfing, skiing, bowling, go on road trips, play the bass guitar in bands, gather with friends, anything U of M or BYU, and ICE CREAM. He loved to bake and share his creations with friends and family. His specialty was Christmas Stollen which he baked by the dozens for friends and family each year.

A man of integrity, Dennis was honest to the core. Nothing could sway him from doing the right thing.  He would do anything for his family and friends.  He would pick you up at any hour of the day or night if you needed a ride; he would offer to have you stay at his home or use anything of his.  Dennis was incredibly generous.  The gospel of Jesus Christ and his Savior were dear to his heart, and frequently when reading the Book of Mormon would remark with excitement about the principles taught there that hit home to him. He loved to share things he loved!

Dennis leaves behind his sweetheart of 63 years, Mary Fulton Larkin; three treasured daughters, Claire Graham (Kevin), Julia Dapper (Ross) and Maren Larkin; 12 precious grandchildren, 7 adorable great-grandchildren, and one beloved niece, Dona Ueltschi. He was preceded in death by his parents, and sister Barbara.

Memorial Lakeview Mortuary and Cemetery in Bountiful, Utah will be the final resting place of Dennis P. Larkin.