Larry Earl Gardner

Larry Gardner, son of Myron and Mildred Gardner, our beloved father, grandfather, brother, and uncle, passed away peacefully at the age of 82. Born in Caliente, Nevada, Larry was a long-time resident of Provo, Utah, where he built a life centered on faith, family, and service.

Larry grew up among the fruit orchards on Grandview Hill and remained there most of his life. He attended Grandview Elementary, Dixon Jr High, and Provo High.

Larry served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Germany. An experience that deepened his testimony and shaped his lifelong devotion to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Over the years, he faithfully served in many church callings, including with the Young Men, as a counselor in the bishopric, and as a Gospel Doctrine teacher. In his later years, he found great joy serving as a temple worker in the Provo, Utah, Temple.

He married Marian (“Micki”) White in the Manti, Utah, Temple on August 14, 1970. Together, they faithfully raised two children, creating a loving home built on faith, family, and fun with plenty of hard work mixed in. Micki suffered for decades with multiple sclerosis, and throughout it all, Larry was her devoted caretaker and constant companion.

Professionally, Larry spent his career as an accountant. After graduating from BYU, he worked at Geneva Steel for a time and then took the job of president of the Provo Railroad Credit Union, later known as East Bay Credit Union. After 2 decades with the credit union, he continued his entrepreneurial pursuits by working with family in various ventures involving metal works, scholarships, real estate, and mortgages.

Larry lived life to the fullest. He was an avid adventurer who loved water skiing, snowmobiling, hunting, and fishing. He enjoyed countless family trips to Lake Powell, Strawberry Reservoir, Fish Lake, and numerous National Parks. For many years, he held a private pilot license and loved flying with his brother and brother-in-law.

Sports were another lifelong passion—he played baseball in high school, church basketball, and enjoyed racquetball, tennis, and softball as an adult. He rarely missed cheering for BYU football and basketball.

A lifelong learner, Larry’s love of reading filled his home and heart with books and ideas. He often attended evening religion classes at BYU and was always eager to learn something new and meaningful.

Larry’s life was marked by curiosity, faith, kindness, and an unshakable sense of purpose. He will be remembered for his integrity, his laughter, and the love he shared with his family and friends.

He is survived by his children, Reggie (Holliann) Gardner and Gina (Jared) Theler; eight grandchildren; and his sister, Debbie.

He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Gabriella, his parents, Myron and Mildred Gardner; his wife, Micki; his brother, Ron; and his sister, Myrna.

A viewing for family and friends will be held on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, from 6-8 pm at Wheeler-Sundberg Funeral Home, 495 South State Street, Orem. Funeral services will be on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 1:00 pm at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 1260 West 1150 North, Provo, with a viewing held that morning at the church from 11:30-12:30 p.m. prior to the service. Interment will be in the Eastlawn Memorial Hills Cemetery, 4800 North Timpview Drive (650 East), Provo, UT.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Utah Food Bank. 

Condolences for the family may be expressed on this page.

For those unable to attend the services, they will be Livestreamed starting at 12:45 p.m. on Thursday, November 6th, via YouTube Live at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1nY_HO6mkw