Larry Kent Browning

Larry’s 90 years of life began on the 2nd of December in 1934 in Sugar City, ID, the oldest child of Cleo Henry Browning and Norma Bean. 

From a young age, Larry was gifted with a love of music. He played piano and grew to sing with a sweet tenor/baritone. He was faithful and talented and eager to serve. Throughout his life, his love of the Gospel ran deep and his faith was primary in all he did. He studied and researched and loved the scriptures, loved the doctrine of Jesus Christ, loved the Plan of Salvation. He was always on the lookout for opportunities to share that love with anyone who’d listen.

A pinnacle point of Larry’s early life was his time serving in Hong Kong, China, as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. During those young years, he developed a strong connection to the Chinese people and spent the rest of his life fostering that connection. He loved China, loved the Chinese language, and mostly he dearly loved the Chinese people. 

One of his greatest achievements was when he participated in the translation of the Book of Mormon into Chinese. His love of language fueled his passion to get the translation as accurate as possible. This work was so gratifying for him, as it combined his academic linguistics studies with his love of the Chinese people and desire to share the Gospel.

In life Larry was blessed with 7 children, 21 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren. 

Larry returned to his heavenly home on Tuesday, January 21, 2025. He was surrounded by his loved ones as he transcended this earthy realm, surely eager to embrace his Mother, Father and little sister Dalene. He is survived by his wife Jiana Li, all of his many descendants, and his ex-wife Diane Foster, who are very happy that Larry’s broken body has released his spirit.

Celebration of Larry’s long life is scheduled to start with a viewing, to be held on Sunday, January 26 from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm at the Wheeler-Sundberg Funeral Home, 495 South State Street, in Orem, UT. Then on Monday, January 27, 2025, another viewing will be held from 9:30 am-10:30 am at the LDS church building located at 95 North 600 West, Orem, UT, followed by funeral services at 11:00 am. 

Interment will take place at 3:00 pm at the American Fork City Cemetery, 26 West 600 North, American Fork, UT.

Condolences for the family may be expressed on this page.

For those unable to attend in person, you may view the services HERE