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John Larry McLaws

05/03/1932 - 10/03/2015
Service Date: 10/09/2015
Service Time: 10:00 AM
Service Location: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2835 E. Des Moines, Mesa, Arizona

John Larry McLaws, age 83, passed away on Oct. 3, 2015 in Gilbert, AZ. Larry was born in Mesa, AZ on May 3, 1932 to Franklin John McLaws and Marion LaPriele Pace. He lived in Mesa and Holbrook, AZ.

Larry graduated Holbrook High School May 26, 1950. He left Holbrook the next day and moved to Mesa where he attended ASU (then Arizona State College) for the next three years. In 1952 he was called to be a Stake Missionary in the Maricopa Stake. He applied to the University of Arizona Law School and was accepted without earning a 4 year degree because of his good grades. Thinking he would never be able to fill a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he was preparing to move to Tucson, however in September 1953 he was called to serve a full-time mission in the Swiss Austrian Mission for 2 1/2 years, taking good advantage of his 2 years of German.

Upon returning from Switzerland he took up his studies to become an attorney at the U of A. Larry met Sonja Fuller in Tempe, AZ and they were married in the Mesa Arizona Temple on August 16, 1958. They were blessed with 6 children. Larry was an excellent student, successful attorney, loving son, brother, husband, father and grandfather. He endeavored to complete every assignment he undertook with perfection and exactness, including his church callings, art work, and as a stonemason.

In 1994 he and his wife Sonja served an LDS church mission together to Papua New Guinea where they had a grand adventure. In 1999 they served another mission together in Frankfurt Germany.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his dear friend and brother Monte Burr McLaws, and daughter-in-law Christine Klein McLaws. He is survived by 5 sisters, Lyndella, Caroline, Kathy, Gale and Mandy; 3 brothers, Frank, Otis and David; his wife of 57 years, Sonja Fuller McLaws; 1 daughter Marian Louise (Brent) Priday; 5 sons, John Aaron (Sharon Matsen), Andrew Fuller, Joseph Anthon (Dawnell Jones), Nathan Lee, Will Ashley (Kim Anderson); 23 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Larry had an indomitable spirit which was so evident in everything he undertook and especially as his family watched him fight Parkinson’s and Dementia (PDD). A very heartfelt appreciation goes to his son Aaron and wife Sharon who took such loving care of him for 10 months. Also, to his caregivers at Stonebridge Assisted Living Home where he felt loved and needed. His big brown eyes and ready smile will always remain with us.

The only viewing will be held Thursday evening October 8, 2015 from 6 to 8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa. Funeral services will be held the next day October 9th at 10 AM – Montecito Ward building 2835 Des Moines (on the corner of N. Lindsay & Des Moines) in Mesa. Interment will follow at the City of Mesa Cemetery.

Condolences

  • Cliff and Debbi Williams

    So sorry for your loss Sonya and family. We feel it a blessing to have served and felt of your love even if it was a little while.. Love you both

  • I have many memories of my Uncle Larry from as early as I can remember. I spent my summers visiting Uncle Larry and Aunt Sonja and my McLaws cousins in Mesa and later Strawberry, AZ and those times are some of my happiest memories as a child. I always remember Uncle Larry as a kind man who loved to tease us kids and make us laugh. My family and I send our love and prayers.

  • Lisa Fuller Butikofer

    Uncle Larry left such a wonderful legacy. Such a valiant family. Relatives to truly count as treasures! I feel so grateful to have been his niece. I remember being especially proud when his law firm was pictured on the front of the phone book with him front and center (maybe an advertisement…I was young). THAT’s when I knew he was cool. haha There was always a nice spirit of order and love in their home, he helped set a great balance to everything. I will miss his big brown eyes and bright smile!Lots of love from Idaho. We sure love our Fuller/McLaws relatives!

  • To Mr. McLaws family, I’m very sorry for your loss. I wanted to offer you some comfort that I’ve found in the Bible. In John 11:25 Jesus said “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who exercises faith in me, even though he dies, will come to life.” It’s my hope that you can draw comfort and strength from this promise that we can see the loved ones we have lost again. (Acts 24:15)
    https://www.jw.org/en/publications/books/dead-live-again-tract/dead-live-again/

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