On December 8, 2022, Ralph Sharp Larsen set sail with the Master of the Seas. He was born on November 14, 1927, in Spring City, Utah into the kind and loving arms of Sharp McCoy Larsen and Clara Rebecca Anderson. He loved the pastures and clean open air Spring City provided. He enjoyed horseback riding and was mentored by his grandparents and shared adventures with his cousins.
As a young man, he lived in Salt Lake City where he loved and protected his younger sister Helen Wyatt. Being charismatic and easy on the eyes, he embraced his years at South High where he went to school with many people who became lifelong friends and boating buddies.
After high school, Ralph enlisted in the Navy where he honorably served our country. He was stationed in Hawaii where his love for boats, water, and island life became part of his DNA. Upon returning home, he met the love of his life, Daneen Retford. They were married in Salt Lake City and had two beautiful children, Cindy Lee and Sharp Todd. His children were his pride and joy. He was devoted to them throughout his life. With consistent boating adventures he taught them to be sailors, explorers, and lovers of life. Despite a successful career in auto sales and later in the insurance industry, Ralph always made time with his family a priority and always had the next boating adventure on the calendar.
Ralph was a great salesman and was successfully worked in sales for Ken Garff Auto, Dunham Bush, and John Hancock Financial where he ultimately worked for fifty years.
Ralph loved fine engineering and always insisted upon driving the best cars and captaining the best boats. He had a vivid memory for every automobile and boat he ever owned and kept each in pristine condition. His favorite boat was a 1978 Uniflite 28’ Mega which he kept at Lake Powell. It was a twin engine cabin cruiser he christened the “Sun Seeker.” He loved to work on that boat and spent many hours bent over with his head in the engine compartment tweaking one thing or the other. He was frequently seen polishing the boat and always maintained that “a clean boat was a safe boat.” Several years ago, he passed down the Sunseeker to daughter and grandsons who have enjoyed years of adventures and passed the love of boating on to his great grandchildren.
In 1993, his beloved Daneen passed away after a battle with cancer. Her passing devastated him and he thought he could never love again. But he soon after met his second love Sherry Hansen. After a whirlwind courtship they were married and enjoyed 28 years together before his passing.
Ralph is survived by his wife Sherry, his daughter Cindy Lee (Craig) Bott, his sister Helen Ann (Roland, deceased) Wyatt. He is also survived by his grandsons Jeremy (Kristina) Haymore, Jason (Julie) Haymore, and Neal (Holly) Haymore. He also leaves behind his great grandchildren Matthew, David, Abigail, Cody, Sarah, Rebecca, McKenzie, Nathan, Ryan, and Dominic (expected to arrive in spring 2023).
Ralph was preceded in death by his wife Daneen Retford, his son Sharp Todd Larsen, his grandson Nathan Lee Haymore, and his brother-in-law Roland Wyatt.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, December 14, 2022, at the Murray Utah Stake Center Chapel, 160 East 4600 South, Murray UT 84107. Friends and neighbors may call at the church Tuesday evening from 6:00pm to 8:00pm and prior to the services on Wednesday from 10:00 am-11:00 am. Funeral Services will be held at the same chapel from 11:00 am -12:00 pm. Interment will take place at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, 3401 South Highland Drive, Millcreek, Utah. The family wishes to thank the many doctors and nurses who provided care to Ralph in his final days, particularly the professionals at Legacy Village of Taylorsville who provided a dignified environment for the family to say goodbye.
Service will be available to stream at murray25.org.
