Larry Ovell James

Larry Ovell James was born on July 13, 1943, in Mayfield, Utah, to Ovell and Nelda James, and passed away on February 6, 2026, in Tooele, Utah, following an illness. He was 82 years old.

Larry spent his early life growing up in Mayfield, Utah. When he was 13, his father moved the family to Tooele, Utah, for work. At the age of 17, Larry enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He completed boot camp in San Diego and was then stationed in Oakland aboard the USS Mount Katmai, and later the USS Midway. After being discharged, he worked many jobs fixing things and operating equipment. In 1978, he received a diploma from Utah Technical College in heavy-duty mechanics.

Larry loved cars and trucks and also loved working on them. He was an excellent mechanic—not, as he called it, “a parts changer.” He could fix almost anything. He had many stories about working in Jackson Hole. He worked for the Tooele Smelter, Carr Fork Mine, Tooele Army Depot, Defense Depot Ogden, and Hill Air Force Base. He retired from the DoD after 25 years of service. He then worked for Tooele City repairing vehicles and heavy equipment until finally retiring for good.

Larry enjoyed coin collecting, metal detecting, Utah history, ghost towns, and the West Desert. He loved fishing, hunting, ATVs, and taking his stepchildren and grandchildren to his favorite hunting grounds. He loved sharing his knowledge of mechanics and welding with his family. He also loved taking long drives and spotting wildlife with his wife, Retta.

Although he was unable to have children of his own, he gladly accepted Retta’s children and grandchildren as his family and was very fond of them. Larry was tough as nails and could be ornery, but also playful, kind, and generous. He will be missed by his siblings, family, grandchildren, and friends.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Retta; his brothers Leland, Leslie, and Kenneth; and stepchildren Kendall (Jeanne) Judd and Marilyn (Randy) Dennis. He leaves behind three siblings, Carl (Dorothy) James, Linda Gibson, and Mary (Doug) Pitt, as well as his stepchildren Teresa (Gary) Potter, Lorraine (RuGene) Rollo, and Bruce Judd; 13 grandchildren; and 27 great-grandchildren.

Special thanks to Intermountain Home Health, Amber Dennis, and Richard Anderson, who were so helpful to Larry in his last days.

Larry’s wishes were to be cremated and have his ashes scattered in his favorite place. Per his wishes, no funeral services will be held. A small memorial will be held at the time his ashes are scattered in July.