Larry Elmer Milburn Pullen, 81, devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and uncle, passed away peacefully on February 16, 2021. Larry’s kindness and genuine interest in those he came in contact with instantly made Larry a favorite of so many. He was born March 7, 1939 in Lincoln Park, Michigan to Charles and Mabel Pullen.
Upon graduating high school, Larry worked at Ford Motor Company with his late sister Ida Carter Anderson prior to attending BYU to study accounting. After two years of studies; January 5, 1962 Larry was inducted into the United States Army. For the majority of his service he traveled Western Europe as Military Police. It was then that he discovered his love for travel, a passion for world cultures – specifically French and Italian. Upon leaving the service, Larry finished his degree at BYU and graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Accounting.
On June 18, 1970, He married Marylin Charters Sims, in the Dearborn Ward Chapel in Dearborn, Michigan. Together they had one daughter, Susanna Vivian Charters Pullen and raised Karen Sims Buchanan, Doug Sims, Carolyn Sims Sabol, and Sandra Sims Littlehale. Shortly after marrying, they uprooted and moved to Mesa Arizona to be near family.
April 14, 1982 Larry remarried and was sealed to Barbara Sorden Kudlicki in the Mesa, Arizona Temple. Together they had Ashley Sue Ann Marie Pullen and Barbara brought Rich Kudlicki, Danny Kudlicki, Deena Kudlicki Moffat and Dorine Kudlicki Neeley to the family as well.
He is survived by his loving wife, Barbara Pullen; sister Iva Skidmore; his two daughters Susanna Pullen (Jennifer Drury) and Ashley Bradley (Dallin); his step children Rich Kudlicki (Michelle), Danny Kudlicki (Ann Marie), Deena Moffat (William), Dorine Neeley (Kurt); 24 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren
Larry spent his professional career as an accountant and used those acquired skills to serve as such within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
He enjoyed the arts, traveling, racquetball, basketball, football, any and all sports – spectating and playing. Most of all he enjoyed his family. His family and friends will miss him and his loving teases immensely. His legacy of loving relationships will be remembered and will be one we will all look to in emulation. A very special thank you is extended by his family to Arizona Hospice of the Valley for the tender care they delivered to him in his final days.
Funeral services will be Thursday, February 25 at 10:00 AM at the LDS Stake Center on 925 North Harris, Mesa. A visitation will be held from 9:00 – 9:45 that morning at the same address. An additional visitation will be at Bunker, Centennial Way on Wednesday, February 24 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm.
For those who would like to view the service online, please join us at:
https://zoom.us/j/98437421818?pwd=ejJtNUlMNzNoVmpzMlREaU9GWk5pQT09
Larry’s cousins, the Clinics(?) were in my ward in Michigan and I also knew Larry at BYU-always cheerful and fun-I saw Larry so many times at sporting events and as I worked in Osco Pharmacy and we always said we needed to get the Michigan group together-I wish we had. It would be very typical that he took his challenges in stride and I know that he loved his family deeply. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time as you honor a man who lived his life well.
Nancy (Sue Franklin) Darien
Larry was a great man always happy with friendly advice. Thoughts and prayers to the family.
Respectfully
Sorry about Larry. A great guy.
My sincere condolences and heartfelt prayers for comfort. Great memories from Lincoln Park days. His contagious smile will be missed!
Please accept our condolences in the passing of your loved one. May the Lord grant you peace in Brent and Barbara Neeley. your sorrow
Barbara, sorry to hear of your husbands graduation ….it is hard I know, but you are strong and you just take a day at a time……(I am your old friend from 17th ward in phx and have enjoyed seeing you in the temple)…love
As Larry’s 2nd cousin, i’ve known him for all my life. We have cherished memories of multiple family get together‘s which included camping every year with scores our relatives on our mother side of the family. The huge tent that Larry’s father owned took a full day to set up with pipes and wrenches and would accommodate at least 35 to 45 Camp Cots. Larry and I were roommates at BYU for a semester. I shall surely miss him and my heartfelt wishes and love go to him and his family including his dear wife Barbara. Rest in peace , Larry, and I’ll see you on the other side soon..
As Larry’s second cousin I have very fond memories as a child when all of us as a family would get together over Fourth of July and Labor Day and go camping at Glenn Lake and Camp Dearborn!
On Christmas Eve we would celebrate together for a wonderful dinner and games and laughs!
You will be missed Larry! we love you and our heartfelt prayers go to Barb! I am sure that you’re having quite the celebration with all of our family and loved ones that have passed on!
As Larry’s second cousin I have fond memories as a child When our families would go camping at Glenn Lake and Camp Deerborn! Also every Christmas Eve on we would get together for dinner and games and laughs! Larry you will be missed! I’m sure they’re having quite the celebration with all of our loved ones that have passed on! Our prayers go with Barb!
With my asthma kicking up & Covid.I rarely go outside..until I get my Covid Shots…I’m so glad Johnnie & I were allowed to “gown up with long rubber gowns, gloves & mask” to go sit & visit with Larry for about an hour before he passed a few days later. We joked as usual..I put warm blankets on him & hugged him goodbye , not realizing he was going to leave us so quickly. We’ll remember all the visits thruout the years & meeting for lunches & dairy Queen. Larry was a great Dad & was really great with Grandkids & greats too. He loved all of the kids. He always called Johnnie to tell him when there was a BYU game on T.V. his voice is still on Johnnie’s phone from a recent call for Johnnie to call him back.. We will really miss him…RIP Larry…..love, Johnnie & Carol
Sorry for your loss. I didn’t know Larry very well,but the few times I saw him and visited with him,He was always happy and laughing. Cousin Barbara and family I will be praying for you.Love you
I remember fondly the summer family camping outtings we spent with my Mothers side of the family in Michigan. Also, all the family Christmas Eve parties that had us gather with food & Christmas carols, summers at Camp Dearborn & Camp Deversion as well. Larry is my 2nd cousin and always so much fun with his teasing! He hung out with me during my times at BYU as well! Much Love, hugs, & condolences to Larry’s lovely💘 Family!
Barbara,
Kevin and I are so sorry to hear about the Larrys passing. He was such an amazing friend and person. He will be truly missed. It was such an honor to have known him and he had become such a special friend to Kevin. Kevin enjoyed their visits and conversations. Kevin misses those times. Love and hugs.