Lawrence Alder

Biography

Lawrence Wesley Alder
1933 ~ 2014

In honor of Father’s Day this year, we would like to honor one of the greatest men who ever lived. Lawrence Wesley Alder was born December 28, 1933 in Salt Lake City to Garold Benson and Norma Blake Alder. He passed away peacefully on June 9, 2014 in Salt Lake City due to complications of a stroke that he suffered the previous day. He was the second of two children and grew up in the Avenues of Salt Lake City next door to a tennis court which became a big part of his life. He graduated in the class of 1952 from West High School where he was Student Body President, competed in the State Tennis Championship, and where he met the love of his life. He graduated from the University of Utah in 1956. On June 18, 1953 he married his high school sweetheart, Carolyn Ranck, in the Salt Lake Temple. Together they have 8 children who are the pride and joy of his life. He was President of the Utah Retail Grocers Association, President of the Utah Bankers Association, and served on many State and National Boards. Dad loved everything sports: he played tennis, golf, racquetball and handball exceptionally well. Whether he was playing, watching on TV or enjoying children or grandchildren participate, sports brought him a great deal of happiness. He appreciated the beauties of the earth and was awed by every moon and sunset. He spent many years working at the By-Belle Ranch in Wyoming and loved every minute of it. Dad was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He served in two Bishoprics and as a Bishop in West Bountiful, Utah. He was heavily involved in the building of the West Bountiful 2nd Ward Chapel. He served as a Regional Welfare Agent and also worked in the Bountiful Utah Temple. He and his favorite companion served a mission together from 2007-2008 at the Washington D.C. Visitor Center. Dad’s core values were strong and influenced his everyday life. He was hard working. Attitude was everything. He was a teacher of the highest order. He was a man of integrity and gave his all and dedicated himself to every endeavor whether it was family, church, work, or sports. He had a way of making you feel like you were the most important person on earth. He lived by the motto “And Then Some” which became a guideline and a challenge for all his posterity to follow in his footsteps.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Carolyn Ranck Alder, his older brother Kenneth Blake Alder, and his children Kristine Gross, Kathy & Ken Johnson, Mark & Beki Alder, Blake & Sheryl Alder, Becky & Bret Hutchison, Benson & Cathy Alder, Stoney & Kristina Alder, and Larson & Julie Alder, 32 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren, with more coming. He is preceded in death by his parents, a granddaughter, Danielle Carolyn Gross, and a great-grandson, Daniel Johnson Kieffer.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 16, 2014, at the Stone Creek Chapel, 1476 North 300 West, Bountiful, Utah. A visitation will be held Sunday evening from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the Bountiful Russon Brothers Mortuary and Monday morning at the Stone Creek Chapel from 9:00-10:15 a.m. Interment, Centerville City Cemetery. Online guestbook at www.russonmortuary.com.
Thank you dad for the example and legacy you have left for us. Our love for you will continue to increase and we will think of you with every beautiful sunset. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the LDS Humanitarian Fund.

Funeral Service

Monday June 16, 2014, 11:00 a.m. at Stonecreek LDS Chapel
Click for Map and Directions