Larry B. Prestwich

Larry Berg Prestwich, 88, passed away July 5, 2023, at his home in Longmont, Colorado, due to the effects of a stroke. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, bishop, missionary, artist, graphic designer, educator, mentor, art historian, scriptorian, athlete, civic leader, patriot, and above all, a disciple of Jesus Christ.

He was born March 13, 1935, in Spring City, Utah, to Alice Genile (Allred) and William Berg Prestwich. After living part of his childhood in Richfield, Utah, his family settled in Salt Lake City.

From a very young age, Larry was a dedicated and talented artist and loved to paint original pieces as well as posters for activities at Granite High School. He also excelled at track; after becoming a high hurdler as a junior, he won nearly every race he entered and eventually earned a track scholarship to the University of Utah.

In high school, Larry met Anne Boyack at church and asked her to attend the New Year’s Eve Dance. They hit it off so well that they talked for hours in her driveway following the dance. Larry was late getting home, but he avoided trouble by rushing to the clock right when he got home and setting it back to 1 a.m., just before his mother (who had awakened when he arrived) could see it. Satisfied that he was seemingly home on time, his mother went back to sleep. Thus began a 72-year love affair between Larry and Anne.

Beginning in 1954, Larry served for two and a half years as a full-time missionary in France and Switzerland for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He loved the people and the French language, which he spoke fluently until his passing. Shortly after arriving home from his mission, Larry and Anne were married in the Salt Lake Temple on December 11, 1957.

In 1958 he served in the U.S. Army, where he was stationed at Fort Ord (California) for six months, followed by service in the Army Reserves. He loved his country and always shared that love with his family. While in the army, he was thrilled to learn via a letter from Anne that he was going to become a father!

He later earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah and master’s degree in art from Brigham Young University. After living briefly in southern California, the family settled in 1968 in Sterling, Colorado, where he taught Art, Design, Art History, and French at Northeastern Junior College for nearly 40 years. He loved teaching and was highly respected by students, faculty members, and administrators. He won numerous teaching awards, and upon his retirement, the major drawing lab at the college was named in his honor.

All seven of their children graduated from high school in Sterling, and during that time, Larry and Anne attended thousands of games, concerts, and activities of their busy children, missing almost nothing. He coached his children in every sport, and he and Anne passed along their love of music and art to their children and grandchildren. He also served on the Sterling Arts Council and as a school board member for the RE-1 Valley School District for 16 years.

Larry loved the gospel of Jesus Christ and served faithfully in numerous Church callings, including bishop, high councilor, gospel doctrine teacher, temple ordinance worker, and coordinator for the Church’s outreach program at the Sterling Correctional Facility, where he volunteered twice a week for several years.

Immediately following his retirement as a faculty member in 2007, Larry and Anne served a two-year Church mission in the Paris France Mission. They were delighted to be back in a country where Larry had grown to love the people, language, and beautiful landscapes more than 50 years earlier. In 2013 they moved to Longmont, Colorado, where he lived the remaining years of his life.

Larry will be remembered for his significant artistic talent. He produced a staggering number of striking paintings and drawings. He was prolific and dedicated -- typically painting for several hours each day -- and had an ability to create masterpieces of various styles and in numerous media. He painted beautiful landscapes, lovely still-life arrangements, detailed pen-and-ink drawings of historic buildings, and inventive paintings with thought-provoking religious symbolism. His 12-painting series of scenes of ancient and modern gospel events (created in his late twenties) remains a tour de force. His art has and will create a legacy that will bless generations.

Larry loved his family! He taught his family the gospel, hiked and played sports with them, sang with them, and supported them in their various pursuits. He loved “dad jokes,” puns, gently teasing others, and being teased. He had a wonderful sense of humor that continued even after his stroke.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife Anne, sister Connie (Robert) Brinton, and his seven children: Jozianne (Brian) Bartholomew, Allison (Todd) Mitton, Paul (Melanie), David (Katie), Spencer (Dian), Tyler, and Aaron (Natalie). He’s the proud grandpa to 25 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 15, 2023, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 2200 11th Ave., Longmont, Colorado. Family and friends are invited to a Visitation from 9:30-10:45 a.m., followed by the Funeral at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Humanitarian Fund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.