Larry Kay

Larry Edward Kay

November 24, 1943 ~ July 11, 2018

UIJONGBU, SOUTH KOREA–Larry Edward Kay, 74, formerly of Sunset Utah, passed away in Uijongbu, South Korea surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, July 11, 2018.

Born in Ogden, Utah on November 24, 1943, Larry was the first of nine children born to the late John and Martha (Mikesell) Kay.

As a young boy, Larry learned to fish and swim while living in Groton. He was also taught marksmanship by his father and was considered a good shot. Along with fishing and hunting, which Larry enjoyed throughout his life, he also learned to love baseball from his grandpa Kay. While in school, Larry played baseball as catcher and was a talented switch hitter.

Larry attended schools in Connecticut and Utah, where he enjoyed singing in the school choirs. One of his most memorable performances was singing in the musical Oklahoma. He was also known to break into song on Sunday family drives, singing in his clear tenor voice, tunes like "They Call the Wind Maria."

While attending school in Groton, Larry remembered with fondness witnessing the events that took place during the historic christening of the first nuclear- powered submarine, the Nautilus, on January 21, 1954.

As a young man, Larry was no stranger to hard work. He helped excavate, by hand, the basement of the family home in Groton, side by side with his dad and his uncle Harry Kay. He said that experience taught him that you finish what you start, even when you run into boulders.

Larry was known as a problem solver. Once while working on a dairy farm he was kicked in the head by a cow; he had to keep working and from then on he decided to wear a football helmet while milking the cows. This experience also affirmed his decision to never own a dairy farm.

His love of learning, which included learning how to take things apart and put them back together again, served him throughout his life. As a boy, he often found broken pieces of junk and made them work again; as a man he was skilled in the repair and maintenance of U.S. Army helicopters.

Larry loved reading more than school but took pride in graduating from Davis High School in Kaysville, Utah in 1962. Following graduation, Larry joined the U.S. Army serving from August 1962 until June 1970. He first served in a riflemen infantry platoon defending the DMZ in Korea with the First Cav. Division. After attending helicopter maintenance school, Larry was transferred to Wertheim, Germany and assigned to the 703rd Maintenance Battalion Third Infantry Division C Company as a helicopter specialist. From there he was sent to serve in Vietnam with the 92nd Assault Helicopter Company 10th Combat Aviation Battalion 1st Aviation Brigade.

When you hear tales of pilots, helicopters and daring missions during the Vietnam War member it was Larry, and soldiers like him, who kept those machines in the air.

Larry was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal, Air Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal w/60 Device, Good Conduct Medal (1st and 2nd Award), Expert Badge (M-14 Rifle), Sharpshooter Badge (M-16 Rifle), and the Aircraft Crewman Badge.

Following his active duty service, Larry remained in the Army Reserves working for the 321st Med Reserve Unit out of Salt Lake City Airport; as a civilian (GS12) he continued to work for the U.S. Army working from Camp Stanley in support of 2/2 Avn. in South Korea.

Remembered for his devout reading of the Bible every morning, he was a man who believed that God gave you life for a reason and he was thankful for everyday he was given. Larry lived a life of honor, service and valor.

Larry married Karla Mae Fry on July 28, 1964 in Ogden, Utah and celebrated nearly 28 years of marriage before Karla's death in 1992.

Larry and Karla are survived by their two children and one grandson, Darla (Jason) Antonio of Brigham City, Utah; Shane (Lanell) Kay of Sunset, Utah; and Tyson Kay of Ogden, Utah. Larry is also survived by his wife, KimYong Sook, whom he married in 1994 and her children and grandchildren. His surviving siblings are Paulette Shirley, John (Cheryl) Kay, of Groton, Richard (Elizabeth) Kay of New London, Gregory (Dorothy) Kay of Westerly, and Lisa (Jim) Swigart of Dalton, Mass. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents and his wife Karla, he was preceded in death by three sisters, Sherry (2005), Kathy (2007) and Verona (2017).

Larry's final resting place will always be in the hearts of those who have loved him in life.

Larry's cremains will be buried with his wife Karla. 

A celebration of life will be held on Friday, September 14, 2018 at 2 p.m. at Lindquist’s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd.,  where military honors will be accorded. 

Stand down soldier; you have been relieved