Larry Cone Darnell

Cone Darnell, aged 73, passed away on July 18, 2023 in San Tan Valley, Arizona.

Born on October 24, 1949, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, he was the son of the late James Robert Henry Darnell and Dorothy Isabel Health Darnell.

Cone pursued higher education at the University of New Mexico and later graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Science in Judicial Administration. In September 1969, he demonstrated his bravery by enlisting to serve in the Vietnam conflict.

Cone married his beloved wife, Michelle La Pierre, on October 6, 1971, in Sturbridge, Massachusetts. They spent his remaining service years in Germany, traveling, and enjoying the diverse European cultures. Throughout their life’s journey together, they made homes in New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, and California; where Cone ventured into careers as varied as logging, turquoise mining, high school teacher, probation officer, custom log home contractor, and group home manager.

Cone’s life was not solely defined by his work but also his passions; silver-smithing, writing poetry, listening to rock music, playing his guitar for family and friends, and sharing stories and jokes. His love for nature shone through in his fondness for the Jemez in New Mexico or White Mountains of Arizona. Cone was a basketball enthusiast his whole life.  Cone particularly enjoyed teaching the Gospel and always lived as an example of Jesus’ pure love.

Remembered for his non-judgmental and generous nature, Cone’s kindness and hard work left an indelible mark on all who knew him. Cone was a natural optimist, good-natured, and known for his calm demeanor, among many other virtues that made him a cherished friend, sibling, father, grandfather & spouse.

Cone is predeceased by his parents, Henry and Dorothy, son-in-law Breck Reeves, granddaughter Suzanne Michelle Reeves, brothers Charles, Calvin, and Carlton, and sister Linda Luders. He is survived by his wife, Michelle; daughters Melony (Scott) Opheim and Sarah Reeves of Mesa, AZ; Jesse (Stacy) Straub of San Tan Valley, AZ; and son Joseph (Perla) Darnell of Merida, Yucatan, Mexico.

Visitation will occur 1.5 hours prior to the funeral service. Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, July 29th, in the LDS Chapel at 2175 Ocotillo Road, San Tan Valley. Bishop Olsen will be conducting. Burial will take place on July 31st in Eagar, AZ. Serving as pallbearers will be Joseph Darnell, Nathan Thurber, Stacy Straub, Scott Opheim, Colten Straub, and Remington Opheim.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Cone’s memory to the Juvenile American Diabetes Association at https://www.jdrf.org/.

The family wishes to express their gratitude for the outpouring of love and support during this difficult time. May we forever carry Cone’s spirit in our hearts.

Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.