Larry James DeLuca

Larry James Deluca, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend and community pillar, passed away July 18, 2025, from a short battle with an aggressive blood cancer. He passed peacefully at his home in Herriman, surrounded by his loving family, dogs, and his adored car collection - exactly where he wanted to be. Born on April 15, 1943, to Sam Frank Deluca and Rose Aragone, he was raised as a proud Italian-American and devout Catholic. Larry lived a life rooted in family, traditions, kindness, faith, generosity, and a unique humor all his own.

Larry grew up in Riverton, Utah and spent his younger years working on the family ranch in Butterfield Canyon. He later got a job with his dad at Kennecott Copper Mines and he worked at Hercules, before trading a shovel for the grader. During this time, he became obsessed with all thing's cars and chrome. As a young man, with his father Sam, and his brother Bobby, they started what today is known as Deluca Inc., a renowned excavating business.

Deluca Inc. was a trucking and excavating business that thrived until he and his brother retired a short while ago. As president, he wasn’t just the boss, he was the best grader and operator around. They built this small three-man operation to an excavating empire. He had an unwavering commitment to his work quality and nothing less. Larry was an artist with a finish grader; with every pass he left the land exactly the way it was meant to be. The two brothers were known for their kindness toward their employees, taking them to lunch every day. Often times, Larry would sacrifice by staying home and working so his family could go on vacations. Deluca Inc. owned the shiniest and cleanest Peterbilt’s, around thanks to Larry and his brother. His chrome finishes were known throughout the state.

Beyond his legendary work ethic, he was the foundation of his family and a vintage car collector. He was known especially for his high school car, a 1957 green Lincoln which is, to this day, in pristine condition. He filled Utah car shows with chrome and class, and earned hundreds of trophies. He filled his family with laughter and his love of all things chrome, ghost towns and spotlights were the center of many family jokes.

He taught his two children and three grandchildren, whom he adored and admired, to properly care for, wash and love cars and to consider vehicles part of the family. He taught them how to change tires, drive (including parallel parking!), handle heavy equipment and drive semi-trucks.

Larry met his best friend, confidante and beloved wife, Diana, while doing excavation work for her company. Their first date was an admitted total disaster, yet he asked her out again. The rest of the story became a story of love, laughter and a family that were extremely close. They built a life of prosperity, kindness and traits they have passed down to their children.

His daughter, Danielle, who was the most challenging child to raise, became one of his best friends and closest allies. Larry was extremely proud of her career choice as a funeral director. In the last few years, Danielle and her husband, were able to have Larry travel constantly, even to his homeland of Italy, affording him the opportunity to travel with the family on many charter excursions and dream destinations which led him to become a travel snob and junky (adding to the family jokes).

Larry, his brother, and his son Ryan, worked side by side for many years. Ryan could have taken over the family business, but Larry always valued education and growth and encouraged him to pursue his dreams. With Larry’s full support, Ryan earned his Ph.D. in chemistry, one of his fathers' proudest accomplishments. Larry was immensely proud of his education and the man he became, hanging his graduation celebration banner in his prized garage.

He also cherished his beautiful daughter-in-law, Sarah, and son-in-law, David, embracing them both with the same love and humor he gave his own children. Larry was so grateful for them both, and the love and kindness they shared.

Larry was lucky to have 3 grandchildren that he said he was grateful for every day. He taught them invaluable life skills including kindness, dependability, consideration, and resourcefulness. He would spend hours upon hours teaching them to drive, clean the cars, trying new things, and to be respectful and not to judge anyone. His oldest and only granddaughter Berlin DeLuca was his caregiver towards the end of his battle. Berlin is in school to be a nurse, after having her grandfather as her first patient. He was proud of what Berlin was capable of and the compassion she showed to others. His second grandchild and the oldest grandson Anthony Loumis was Larry’s clone. Anthony developed habits after his grandfather and had dreams to be just like him. With Larry’s, support Anthony wants to be a car collector like his grandpa and fix cars. Larry’s youngest grandson Camden DeLuca was Larry’s partner in crime. Larry started him on the cars at the ripe age of 3 and Camden would shift his manual cars for him. They would spend countless hours on the floor playing “roads”. Larry was an unrivaled grandpa, and his grandchildren always share how lucky they are to have had him as a role model.

Larry DeLuca never bragged, never swore (worse than using the term: “dirty rotten”) and never failed to give to others. He loved his neighbors, his cousins and his friends deeply. He was known throughout his neighborhood for plowing everyone’s driveways without fail and anonymously, never expecting anything in return. He was hilariously afraid of snakes. Larry could not swim but made it his mission to make sure his grandchildren could, assuring they could save their own lives if necessary. Larry’s grandchildren became the deepest of friends who admired one another and who would steal his clothes in order to dress like him. The pranks that Larry played, came back two-fold from his kids and grandkids who adored playing similar pranks against him. Larry detested chicken and one of his last pranks was getting delivered a KFC meal. Larry became known as Chicken Little because of his fear of becoming ill, with salmonella, from chicken.

Keeping with his one-of-a-kind humor, he gave everyone he loved a nickname, now cherished by those granted the honor. Larry is survived by his wife Diana (Lightning) Deluca, his daughter Danielle (Fly) Deluca-Casarotto (husband David-Big Boy) and Ryan (Bird Dog) Deluca (wife Sarah and daughter Emily) grandchildren Berlin (Berless, Fruit Fly) Deluca, Anthony (Louie) Loumis and Camden (Boohoo-Crankshaft) Deluca, his brother Robert Deluca (wife Raquel), his dogs Rosie - his avid companion to the end, Bella-deceased, Gino-deceased, Grand-dogs, Boo, Ruth, Nova (Nay), Jojo, Rollie and Chevy. It’s important to note that all the doxies were included on the many vacations. He also leaves behind countless cousins, neighbors and friends.

His legacy lives on in the lessons he taught, the family he built, the parks he shaped and the classic cars still rumbling in his memory. His family will be honoring his life on July 31, 2025, at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park and Mortuary, 3401 South Highland Drive. Prayer service will be at 2:00. Friends may call for a viewing from 12:00 to 1:45 prior to the prayer service and celebration.

If you have a vintage car and it runs, and you can make it, please bring it! His daughter and son-in-law will be hosting a car show, in Larry’s memory, at a later date.

A special heartfelt thank you to Larry and Diana’s neighbors, Greg (Big Boy) and Kim Wright and their two boys for their endless amount of love and support they gave Larry and Diana throughout his life and in his final illness. Neighbors like them are one in a million. A special thank you to his granddaughter Berlin for her care and support in stepping up for his final illness. To his grandson, Anthony, for always stopping by. Camden for keeping grandpa on his toes. His daughter-in-law, Sarah, for joining them at the many doctor appointments and his son-in-law for showing him the world in style, and to Justin Welker, funeral director, and the many members of Diana’s ward who provided the love and support that both Larry and Diana cherished.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you go hand wash and wax your car in memory of Larry – just make sure you don’t miss a spot!