Joel Bryon Larson
~ Sweethearts Forever ~

Joel Bryon Larson, 30, American Fork, died Saturday, May 12, 2012, in a tragic accident near Saratoga Springs.

He was born December 14, 1981 in Burley, Idaho, the son of Bryon and Susann Hellewell Larson, and the second of five children. He attended school in Pleasant Grove and in Palmdale, California, before the family settled in Cedar Hills. He graduated from Lone Peak High School.

Joel served the LDS church in the Australia Perth Mission. He was an excellent scholar, graduating Magna Cum Laude from Utah Valley University in 2007. He completed an internship in Washington, D.C. in the office of Senator Orrin Hatch. Always eager to help others, Joel earned a master’s degree in social work at the University of Utah in 2010. At the time of his death, he was a therapist at Valley Mental Health in Salt Lake City where he made many friends among his colleagues and the adolescents he counseled. Joel could always be found befriending and seeking out those who were in need of comfort and those who really needed a friend. He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him, especially his family with whom he was very close.

Joel married Melissa Carling June 10, 2011, in the Salt Lake Temple. He loved Melissa and her family, including parents Jay and Maria Carling, and Melissa’s brother Jason and his wife Marcella, and their children.

Joel is survived by his wife, Melissa, of American Fork; his parents, Bryon and Susann Larson of Cedar Hills; brothers Jared (Jessica), American Fork, Justin and Jordan, Cedar Hills, and a sister, Jennifer (Robert) Arthur of Oak Harbor, Washington. Also, five nieces, two nephews, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Bill and Myrtle Hellewell and Fred and Laverne Larson and his Aunt Renee' Larson.

Services will be held Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 11:00 am at the American Fork 18th Ward Chapel, 381 South 300 East, American Fork, bishop’s counselor Michael Pierce conducting. Family and friends may call Tuesday evening, May 15, 2012 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Warenski Funeral Home, 1776 North 900 East, American Fork and Wednesday morning from 10:00 to 10:45 am prior to services the church. Interment will be in the American Fork Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the Utah County emergency and rescue personnel and the law enforcement officers who responded to the accident, for their extreme kindness and professionalism during this tragedy. The family has setup a fund on behalf of Joel's wife, Melissa, at the Bank of American Fork. Donations will be gratefully accepted at any branch office in Joel's name.