Lawrence "Larry" Dean Sorden

 Our dear dad, Larry Dean Sorden (79) passed away Sunday, September 3, 2023. He has been married to Rosalin Mack Sorden, the love of his life, for 55 years. Larry is the proud father of 12 children, Steve, Shauna, Keith, Staci, Rick, Madeline (Neen), Larry, Laurel, Lena, Loni, LaVonne and Layne. Together, they have 28 grandkids and 10 great-grandkids. He told Rosalin that she could have as many children as she wanted, and he would find a way to provide for them. And he did.

At the age of 30, with 8 kids and an idea, Dad moved his growing family to Washington, Utah, and started Sorden’s Cast-Crete, a business he saw the community needed. He figured out how to build a hydraulic lift on an old diesel truck to deliver septic tanks, welded the molds for the tanks, set up a shop, and created a new business. 20 years later, at the age of 50, he sold his business and retired.

Dad was a self-taught musician. He loved playing with his brothers and friends in his band, Larry Dean and the Deacons. He played backup for Charlie Pride in 1968 and headlined the biggest clubs in the Phoenix country music scene. One night, Dad was called to fill in at a club Waylon Jennings was headlining at. After Dad played, Waylon’s band was let go and Dad was hired in his place.

Dad converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in his early 20’s, which changed his life. He always credited the Church for his success and for teaching him how to be a man and a father. He was a faithful member and served a mission with Rosalin at Winter Quarters in Wyoming, a highlight of his life.

Our Dad was a constant joker. He grew up in poverty and learned to get through it with laughter and music. Dad had a tender heart and wasn’t afraid to cry. He loved big, his kids knew they were important to him, and his wife knew she was the best part of his life. He couldn’t get enough time with her and was afraid to leave her here alone, so he held on as long as he could.

Dad was welcomed home Sunday by his best friend, Emmett Jones, whom he missed dearly, and he was able to hold his baby girl, LaVonne. He had looked forward to seeing his parents, Lena and Arch Sorden, his little sister Kathy, little brother Rickey, big sisters Barbara and Doris, and brother Bobby. He had a lot of questions he was anxious to ask them all! Larry leaves behind his brothers, Leon and Johnny, and sister Carol, who is still upset because he shot her in the hand with a bb gun once.

Larry Sorden was a Patriot and loved America. He instilled in his children a respect for our country and God. He taught them how to work hard, earn respect, watch out for other people, and that family is the most important thing in the world. He gifted his children with the legacy of an honest life well-lived. He was very loved, and he will be missed.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, September 9, 2023, from 2:00 – 3:45 pm, followed by the funeral service starting at 4:00 pm, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Bloomington Stake Center, 200 West Brigham Road, St. George, Utah.

Dad will be laid to rest at sunset in the Washington City Cemetery, 300 Park View Drive, Washington, Utah, at 7:00 pm.

Family and friends who are unable to attend the service in person are welcome to attend them virtually by clicking the link below:

https://zoom.us/j/93174288354?pwd=UU1SMGJlVWNUUUlUTVpKSkFGaXhLZz09

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you take your kids out to dinner, something Dad loved to do with his.

Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary 110 S Bluff Street, St. George, UT 84770

Friends and family are invited to sign Larry’s online guest book at www.spilsburymortuary.com.