Obituary of Laron Jarvis DeWitt

Laron Jarvis (LJ) DeWitt, born of the House of DeWitt and Beals on January 13, 1941, Provider of the 4 (Children) and Protector of the 36 (Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren), Master of the Horse, Zealot of the Mule Bite, Finder of the Knee Bones, Mentor of the Wranglers, Leader of the 4H Clubs, Trail Boss on Thousands of Rides, Wagon Master Extraordinaire, Instructor of the Equine Arts to Hundreds of Folks, Gatherer of the Chickens, King Story Teller and Supreme Exaggerator, Singer of  “OH, WHAT A BEAUTIFUL MORNING” and “FLIGHT OF THE EAGLE TO THE BIG ROCK NEST”,  Apprentice Hoarder (thanks Nancy Mildred), Cryer of the Prayer Born Tears, Feeder of the Masses over a Campfire, Driver of Tens of Thousands of Cross Country Miles, Chief Horse Trader, Auction Bidding Expert and Most Vehement and Devoted Adoring Husband to Sally Joan Rasmussen DeWitt died on December 3, 2023.

LJ was a legend who unconditionally loved his people.  Trusted with educating many impressionable stable hands and able to instill a work ethic second to none.  Many generations of young men and their parents credit Laron with changing the direction of their lives for the better.  His stables and trail language could be colorful and, when danger presented itself, his raised voice could strike fear to your soul, but anyone that knew him well was fully aware that he was a gentle soul with the softest heart and a willingness to serve his fellow man as testament to the love he felt for his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Laron was born in Safford, Arizona to Laron Waldo DeWitt and Nancy Mildred Beals DeWitt, raised in Pima, Arizona until the age of 3 when they moved to Mesa, Arizona where he spent the rest of his earthly life.  The oldest of 6 siblings, Dilles, Darlene, Sterling, Mitchell and Danny followed over 23 years.  Laron was preceded in death by all of his brothers and sister.

LJ married the love of his life, Sally Rasmussen on June 16, 1960 in the Mesa, Arizona LDS Temple.  They were blessed with 4 children:  Laron Jay, Nancy Jo, Page and Jessica.  Laron and Sally were able to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Nauvoo, Illinois in 2004 and 2005.  LJ’s greatest pride and joy would be his 16 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren, several of which were gathered to say goodbye in the last week of his life.  Thanksgiving 2023 he was able to attend the campfire and partake in the Thanksgiving steak wrapped in a tortilla and some red soda pop while visiting with the friends and family that had made the annual tradition the beginning of their Holiday Season.  Laron passed peacefully in the night on Sunday, December 3^rd, holding the hand of his beautiful wife in their Lehi, AZ home.

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, December 18^th, 2023 at the Lehi Ward Building (830 E Lehi Rd, Mesa, AZ  85203).  Viewing will begin at Noon, Funeral Service at 2PM.  Laron’s favorite son in law, Dan Porter, will be honored to transport him to his final resting place by horse drawn wagon directly following the service and we will welcome memories, stories and lessons learned with an open mic during dinner provided by those that love him from the Lehi 1^st ward community, where he has been a treasured member since 1980.