Larry David Hanks October 10, 1943 - February 17, 2023

Larry David Hanks, 79, died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Friday, February 17, 2023. He was born in Payson, Utah on October 10, 1943, and grew up in Salem, Utah. He married the love of his life, Sandra, at age 17 and was married for 62 years. He raised his family in Southern California. He was an Air Force Veteran who earned an MBA from University of Utah.

Larry is survived by his living wife, Sandra Hanks; four children, Karen Hanks (Christine), Shawn Hanks (Brooke), Shannon Hanks, and Kristopher Hanks (Amanda); eight grandchildren, Shane Kowal (Alden), Brittany Shaw (Ammon), Kaitlyn Baxley (Grace), Brandon Hanks, Tyler Hanks (Brooklyn), Zachary Hanks, Jamie Kowal, and Jameson Hanks; and two great-grandchildren, Oliver Shaw and Lloyd Baxley.

He is also survived by seven siblings, Val Hanks, Jim Hanks, Gaylen Llewelyn (Blake), Marianne Hanks, Kathy Gleed (Jeff), Joi Lynn Fenton (Don), and Ned Hanks (Olesya), as well as many nieces and nephews and their families.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Gale Hanks and Zina Butler; three infant daughters, Margaret Ann, Tuesdee Lynn, and Stephanie; and two sisters-in-law, Wendy and Rosemary.

To know Larry was to laugh. He was the biggest jokester who’s love language was the gift of laughter. If he didn’t tease you, he didn’t like you. Chances are he teased you.

Larry was hardworking with a big heart who fiercely loved his family and fought to stay with his wife and children for as long as he could. He loved the Church, clocks, watches, trains, model planes, cool cars, reading and photography. He was a HAM Radio operator, calling out under call sign KI6 ZTA; woodworker, creating beautiful treasures for his grandchildren; and artist, sketching in colored pencils. He was a sports fanatic who coached soccer and tried to coach college football, NFL and NHL by hollering at the TV. Larry had a fierce love of Cherry Coke, and anything covered in white chocolate, but loathed any cooked vegetables, especially peas.

Make today a “Cherry Coke Day” and laugh at a joke as we honor Larry, our (ghost) rider in the sky.

The funeral is at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 25, 2023, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 60 S Main Street in Salem, Utah. Burial is in Salem Cemetery immediately following.

Visitation is 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 25, 2023, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 60 S Main Street in Salem, Utah.

In lieu of flowers, feel free to make a donation to the National Kidney Foundation
Kidney.org_ways_to_Donate
or to the American Heart Association
heart.org/en/get-involved/ways-to-give