PROVO, UTAH
Blake E Larson passed away on March 27, 2023 at home with his family in Mapleton, Utah from the effects of younger onset Alzheimer’s disease.
Blake was born to Hale Joseph Larson and Donna Broome Larson on April 17,1964 and raised in Grand Junction, Colorado. He was the baby of the family, the 5th boy that “completed their basketball team”. He was called Skipper as a baby, which was later shortened to Skip. He always went by Skip until he went to graduate school in Atlanta, when he started going by his given name Blake. He felt it was more professional. E is not an initial. It’s just “E”. But it does stand for Donna’s dad Elmer Earl. Hale often called him Earl. He was never called Blake within his family.
Blake graduated from Grand Junction High School as Valedictorian in 1982. He attended BYU before serving in the Japan Nagoya Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Following his mission, he graduated with a BA in Japanese and BS in Applied Physics from BYU. He later graduated with a Masters in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology and with a Masters in Business Administration from Purdue University.
He met the love of his life, Kristin Creer, at BYU and a motorcycle ride around the Alpine Loop began a relationship that culminated in their marriage in the Salt Lake temple four years later.
They began their life together in Atlanta, Georgia while Blake completed graduate school. After graduating from Georgia Tech, he took a job with Cummins Engine Co. as an engineer working on a joint venture with Komatsu. He was hired, not only for his engineering skills, but for his understanding of Japanese culture and his fluency with the Japanese language. They subsequently moved to Columbus, Indiana where they began their family. There he began a highly successful 25 year career with Cummins that he loved.
As their family grew, his career took them to Oyama, Japan and Leamington Spa, England. While living in Japan, their 4th son was born. Blake would tell others that “Ben was made in Japan with US parts”. They completed their family with their 6th child being born while living in England. They enjoyed the opportunity to travel as a family to several countries while living abroad.
He was known for his sense of humor and quick wit. He often made others laugh and he enjoyed a good prank. Along with his humor, he has a gentleness and humility about him that drew others to him. He was always good at sharing a fun story with so much animation that left us all laughing. He loved sports, especially college football. He was a loyal BYU fan. Once he got a DVR, he prided himself that he could watch a football game in almost half the time. He enjoyed playing golf and tennis and taking long rides on his bike.
He loves his wife and children dearly. He was always so proud of his children and their accomplishments. He took great pride in his family and loved spending time with them and always made every effort to be at his children’s sporting and extracurricular activities.
The Larson’s always opened their home to their children’s friends. He often talked and joked with them. They also were enlisted to help on many of his DIY projects. He was known to make several trips back and forth to Lowe’s as there was a project in progress on a continual basis.
At Cummins, Blake was noted for his intelligence, engineering and management skills, being a constant learner, his sense of humor and his strong work ethic. He strengthened Cummins’ relationship with Komatsu, helped improve the large engine product line in England and rose to become an Executive Director in Engineering for the High Horsepower Division. There he led the team that designed the largest engine in Cummins’ history and had the most successful product launch in the history of the company. He named the engine Hedgehog, as hedgehogs devour caterpillars – Caterpillar is Cummins’ business rival.
He loves the gospel of Jesus Christ. He has a deep and pure faith in Jesus Christ and made every effort to keep Him as the focus of all that he did in his life. He served faithfully in his church callings throughout his life. He also has a great love for the temple and looked forward to every opportunity to serve there, even as his disease progressed and it became more challenging.
His career at Cummins was cut short due to the onset of Primary Progressive Aphasia/young onset Alzheimer’s that he battled for close to a decade, but became aware of only 4 years ago. He never let this disease slow him down, nor did it keep him from being his fun and positive self. The quick progression of the last few months was a hard road, but his family was always by his side. It was an honor and privilege for them to care for him at home until his passing.
Blake is survived by his wife, Kristin, his children Sam (Maddie), Jake, Josh, Ben, Hannah and Jonah and his brothers Jeff, Marc, Brad (Kelly) and Todd (Diana-deceased). As well as many in-laws, nieces and nephews that love him dearly. He is enjoying a reunion with his parents on the other side of the veil.
His family is beyond grateful for all the support, love and help that has been extended over the last several years, especially these last few months.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 10th at 11:00 am at Nelson Family Mortuary in Provo, Utah with a visitation one hour prior. Internment will follow in the Mapleton City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to Lorenzo’s House, a non profit dedicated to the support of families impacted by younger onset dementia. Gifts can be made on line at www.lorenzoshouse.org, by phone at 773-636-9192 or mail to CMSS/Lorenzo’s House Attn: Dan Lowe, 1415 W Foster Ave., Chicago, IL 60640.
