Laverne "Larry" Harshal Eccles Obituary (1932

Laverne Harshal Eccles (Larry) peacefully passed away surrounded by family on February 24th in his daughter’s home in Saint George, UT. Larry was born in Jamestown, New York on June 15th, 1932 to John Wesley Eccles and Lula Mae Burch Eccles. Larry was married to Mary Joan Eubanks in Colorado Springs, CO on December 11th, 1954. Larry was raised as the youngest of four children in Jamestown, NY. After graduating from high school, he joined the Air Force where he served with honor for 4 years. He was promoted to Major Staff Sergeant and served his last year in the Korean War. During his third year of service, he was stationed in Indiana. While at a swimming pool, he was dared by his friends to get a cute blond girl to agree to go on a date with him. It was a success and the beginning of Larry and Joan’s life together. Larry was a romantic and a great writer. He wrote often with flowing love letters to Joan while in Korea. Joan, on the other hand, did not like to write letters. Much to Larry’s dismay, Joan’s letters back to him were brief, few and far between. Larry and Joan began their life together in Colorado, where they married, and Larry began his studies in accounting at the University of Denver. While in Denver, their first three children were born: Victoria, Keith, and Staci. Larry then started a career with the Skaggs Drug Store chain as an assistant manager. Then as a general manager of the store, the family was transferred to many of the Intermountain States. After 14 years of service in the retail business, Larry decided to change careers and become a sales rep for Sanyo Electronics. Later, he worked for SanSegal Sportswear until he retired. Larry was a handsome man and he knew it. He dressed sharply and was always ready for his “photo shoot.” He also loved to paint pictures and carve wood. His family is blessed with and will cherish many of his works of art. He was also an amateur culinary chef. He loved to cook for people and would get upset if you didn’t want to eat what he had served up! It was his love language for sure. Another great love in his life was his wife “Joanie” and his five children His love for Mom was plain to see in his verbalization and the way he looked at her. Larry and Joan and their two oldest children were baptized as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1965. They were introduced to the church by the Voyce family, who remained great examples and friends for years. One year later they were sealed together with their four children in the Salt Lake City Temple. Larry and Joan both loved to dance and were quite good. They thoroughly enjoyed the days of the road shows and the ballroom dance competitions at BYU. Larry loved the Lord and had the opportunity to serve in various callings in the church, some of them being ward and stake dance directors, high priest quorum teacher, a counselor in three bishoprics, and an ordinance worker in the Jordan Valley and Saint George temples. Larry and Joan also served missions at the Salt Lake City Universal Genealogy Center, the Bishops Storehouse in Saint George UT, and the Employment Center in Lake Havasu, AZ. Larry is survived by his wife, Joan (Joanie) Eccles; his children, Victoria (Vikki) Fredrickson (James), Keith Eccles (Marcy), Staci Wilson, Corbet (Corby) Eccles, and Jason Eccles (Carmen); 14 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren, with one of the greats being born on his birthday! Larry is preceded in death by his mother Lula Mae; father John Wesley; and his siblings, Walter, Harry, and Donna Wiedenhofer. Our family would like to thank the RNs, aides, and social worker on Hall One at the Veterans Care Center in Ivins, Utah. Their compassion and care were not unnoticed. We appreciate the care they gave Dad and continue to give to the veterans entrusted to them. We also would like to thank Dixie Hospice for their prompt help whenever we needed them. They were there from the very beginning of this process of Dad’s “home going.” Serenity Funeral Home has also provided exceptional service and compassion. We would like to sincerely thank them. His funeral service will be held on Monday, March 3rd from 11:00 to 12:00 at Serenity Funeral Home, 1316 S 400 E, Suite A6 in Saint George, Utah. A viewing is available from 10:00-10:40 at the same location. Larry will be interred at the Veterans Cemetery in Boulder City, Nevada, on March 17th. Family and friends are invited to share tributes online at http://www.SerenityStG.com