Larry Stott

Our dear Dad, Larry Whicker Stott was born on April 4, 1944 to Allison Darrell Stott and Portia Olean Whicker in Kamiah, Idaho. He died at home in Herriman, Utah on May 18, 2023, of long term health issues, with his dear wife of nearly 55 years, Susan Eilene Greenwood Stott, by his side. 

Dad was the best husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and he loved us all so much. He was brilliant, kind, loving, patient, humble, handsome, funny, athletic, unassuming, righteous, and a disciple of Jesus Christ. He was happiest when he was surrounded by his family, making us laugh.

He lived in Millard County in central Utah until he was 7 years old, close to the loving influence of his Stott and Whicker grandparents in Fillmore. The family later moved to Centerville when Darrell took a job in Bountiful as a mechanic at a car dealership. They purchased a home in Bountiful, where Larry spent his formative years, going to Stoker Elementary, Bountiful Junior High, and graduating from Bountiful High School in 1962.  At Bountiful High he participated in student government and was student body president. He was athletic, focusing on basketball, football, and track. He won first place in the state track meet for the 440 yard dash (1962) and the mile relay (1961, 1962). He was also the recipient of the Hale Award for Outstanding Athlete.

He met our mother in the summer of 1964 on a blind date and they have been in love ever since. They married August 19, 1968 in the Salt Lake Temple. This union has brought forth six children (four girls and two boys), twenty grandchildren (nine girls and eleven boys) and eight great grandchildren (six girls and two boys). 

Dad graduated from the University of Utah in Teacher Education as a Math major. He was able to complete his undergraduate degree on a track scholarship. In 1968, he and fellow team members took first place in the Western Athletic Conference in the mile relay, which is still an all-time record held for the University of Utah. This UofU record will never be broken because races are measured in meters now and not yards (Dad would say with a twinkle in his eye). He continued at the University of Utah, earning a PhD in Education Administration on an NDEA Fellowship (National Defense Education Act) where he wrote his dissertation on “A Conceptual Model of Computer Supported Instructional Systems for Theory and Practice.”  This was long before computers were a reality in the classroom, but he could see the influence they would have on education. He also participated in the ROTC program at the University of Utah. In the early 70’s at Ft. Lewis, Washington, and at Fort Benning, Georgia, he won top honors for perfect physical fitness test scores (that seemed to create quite a stir, but true to form, Dad didn’t give it much thought). 

Teaching was our Dad’s calling. He taught and mentored many math students in the Salt Lake City School District at Bryant Junior High and West High School. He loved teaching middle school students because he felt like that was where he could make the most difference. At Bryant he coached winning teams in Math Counts competitions, competing in both the state and national levels (1986-1993). He was also an Associate Professor at Westminster College, helping countless non-math majors through their final math requirements in order to graduate. He also taught Math Methods to prospective Elementary Education teachers. He gained a lot of satisfaction knowing he made a difference. 

Dad was a board member on the Utah Council of Teachers of Mathematics (1984-1994, 2000-retirement); was nominated and selected for “Who’s Who in Teaching” (2003-2005); at the University of Utah he was named Teacher of the Year by the Young Alumni Association (1996); he was a speaker and presenter at the National Brain Research Conferences on the “Implications of Brain Research on Math Teaching;” was named Adjunct Teacher of the Year at Westminster College (1989-90); helped develop Cognitive Reflective Tests, Diagnostic and Placement tests for SLCSD; and he was a member of the steering committee for development of State Math Core Curriculum (2001, 2007). At the time of his retirement he was District Math Specialist. 

Dad loved prime numbers, the outdoors, sunsets, thunderstorms, mountain vistas, waterfalls, timber lines, and a perfect fly-fishing hole. His fly-fishing was poetry in motion and he passed this love on to us, his children and grandchildren, as well the knowledge of how to get to many hidden lakes in the high Uinta Mountains. He was an avid University of Utah sports fan and for many years, never missed a basketball or football game.  “Go Utes!”

Dad had a deep and abiding testimony of Jesus Christ, of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and of the prophet Joseph Smith. He was very knowledgeable in church history and read almost all that was ever printed on the subject, especially concerning the prophet Joseph. He served faithfully in many capacities, including the first Bishop of the Sandy 30th Ward (now called Silvercrest Ward); a Church Education System Mission with Susan in the Lansing, Michigan Mission from 2011-2012 (teaching Young Single Adult Institute and helping and assisting wherever needed); and as a young missionary in the West German Mission from 1965-1967. 

The middle of three sons, he was preceded in death by his parents, Portia Olean Whicker Stott and Allison Darrell Stott; his brothers, Chad Allison and Collin Darrell; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Jessie and David Lloyd and Shirley and Gary Jones; and his mother and father-in-law, Orren Jean and Jennie Bishop Greenwood; and his granddaughter, Tori Rogers who died in childbirth. He is survived by his wife, Susan; his six children and their spouses, David Larry (Denice) Stott, Katheryn Eilene (Roger) Buxton, Sarah Ann (Craig) Peterson, Jenie Elizabeth (Scott) Mills, Spencer Allison (Jessica) Stott, and Laura Kay (Jake) Rogers; grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Also survived by his brothers and sisters-in-law, Jeanine and Paul Kochevar, Afton Greenwood, Gerald and Jeanne Greenwood, Stephen and Doris Greenwood, and Patricia Stott, along with many nieces and nephews. 

Dad had an incredible sense of humor and was known for his constant jokes and happy demeanor. He used to read the obituaries every day, “to make sure I’m not in there.” 

He would always leave one last parting admonition, “Don’t forget to smile! It’s good for your brain!”  

We love you, Dad! 

A viewing will be held at the Anderson & Goff Mortuary (11859 S. 700 E., Draper, UT) on Friday, June 2, from 6:00-8:00 PM. Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 3, at 11:00 AM at the Anthem 2nd Ward Chapel (12352 S Big Bend Vista Drive, Herriman, UT). There will also be a viewing prior to the funeral from 9:30-10:45 AM.  Interment will be at the Sandy City Cemetery in Sandy, Utah.

Following is the live-stream link for the funeral:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzXigo0icjU

 In lieu of flowers consider donating to the BYU-Pathway Worldwide Fund or another organization that supports education for those in need of extra help and support: 
https://philanthropies.churchofjesuschrist.org/byu-pathway/

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