Olympus High School Class of 1967 - Latest News

Lawrence "Larry" Hellstrom  (1949~2018)

Larry was very creative, and his abilities emerged early in his life.  He was excellent at drawing, watercolors and oils but his true love was ceramics.  He won First Place at the Utah State Fair for Creative Arts in Ceramics (2017).  He was a founding member, along with his siblings, of the Salt Lake Acting Company under the creative genius of Ed Gryska.  Among his starring roles were Berger in Hair, Judasin Godspell, and Horace Giddens in The Little Foxes.  He also had a starring role in The Meaning of Ernest.

Larry began his career as a flight attendant with Western Airlines and subsequently with Delta Airlines and stayed with the industry until his retirement.  Through his travels he was able to exploit his adventurous self by skiing in the Alps, climbing the ancient pyramids of Mexico and surfing in Hawaii.  He shared many of these experiences with his parents and friends.  No matter where he traveled he immersed himself into the culture and made many friends; this enriched his already tolerant view of humankind.

Nature had an extreme effect on Larry.  He was happiest when he was hiking the trails in Southern Utah or the Cottonwood Canyons.  He also enjoyed biking, roller skating, skiing and swimming.  Along with his love of nature was a love of animals and felt very strongly about saving animals in the shelters.  He donated to several shelters in Utah.

In 1997 Larry and C. Carlson wrote and published a cookbook entitled Inquiring Cuisine, “…based on gossip, rumor, make-believe and wishful thinking.”  Even though it was a parody, all recipes were tested by Larry and as a result, he became an excellent chef and enjoyed sharing his culinary skills with family and friends.

Larry was kind, wickedly funny and intuitive.  He will be missed by his family and friends.

Survived By:

Parents Gordon A. and Mary Jane Hellstrom; Brother Gordon P. Hellstom and his wife Lucille; Sister Dr. Candace Hellstrom-Kinder and husband Dave Kinder; Sister Claudia Hellstrom; Dr. Mike Sullivan, Ana Sullivan and their children, Miles and Maya; Nephews Corey and Tracy.  Preceded in death by Nephew Jeff.

Services will be held Friday, February 9, 2018 at the Unitarian Church (569 S 1300 E, SLC, UT 84101).  The chapel will open at 9:00 a.m., Service at 10:00 a.m. and reception afterwards in the room adjacent to the chapel.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Best Friends Animal Shelter (BFAS).