LaRell Behunin

LaRell Allen Behunin passed the veil on February 16, 2022, just shy of two months after his wife Pearl Elizabeth Sweet passed away.  Both spent their final years in Bounitul, Utah, residing at Welcome Home Assisted Living Center.  LaRell was born June 30, 1935, in Teasdale, Utah to Otto Cleve Behunin and Elva May Allen.  There he learned farming, raising chickens, and finding ways with his brothers, to escape such daily chores.

LaRell graduated High School, in Napa, Idaho.  Shortly after, he married Pearl Elizabeth Sweet on July 8, 1956. They had one son, Ryan Lee Behunin.  He is survived by 9 grandchildren and 6 great children.  He is survived by his two brothers, Otto, and Garry Behunin (Lynda Behunin) and brother-in law Victor Maw.  He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Elaine Maw and sister-in-law, Darlene Behunin.

LaRell worked for Joe Albertson and was store manager of Joe’s second store in Boise.  He moved his family to Billings, MT, where he managed the Albertsons store there, (If he had bought stock back then.)  One year later he moved to Sheridan, WY, where he was a fleet manager for Jersey Creamery.  Spending eight years in Sheridan, having made many friends, he left Jersey Creamery and moved to Centerville, Utah where he began his life-time career as a Truck Driver.  It is estimated, he drove over 6.5 million miles in his lifetime.  He could draw many highways and routes throughout the country from memory.  Friends and family could call for the best routes and he would rattle of road numbers, mile markers instantly.  During his career he trained drivers for Marten Transport, for whom he drove over 2 million miles, receiving recognition for his accident-free achievements.  Many trainees expressed having learned more about trucking, training with LaRell, than with any other trainer.

LaRell loved to laugh and be with his friends.  They spent many years, playing cards, traveling, and telling stories.  LaRell and his brothers are great story tellers.  They could hold groups for hours, telling stories of their childhood antics, teenage sports, and the troubles they encountered. Those times created bonds throughout their lives.  He loved playing cards, bowling, golfing, hunting, and fishing.  He seldom lost at playing cards. He was a super athlete.  Had the stars aligned for him, he could have played professionally.   He loved movies, especially old Westerns, the Duke, and many others.  He was a big fan of Louis L’Amour and claimed he read all of his books at least twice.

LaRell was very popular amongst, his many nieces and nephews. They teased each other and created special bonds that he cherished.  He especially loved little children and was often caught giving them candy.  He was known as the “Candy Man.”  It didn’t matter where or when, if a little child was present, he was talking to them. He loved people, protected his family and the underdog, helped wherever he could.

He was happiest when present with his family and friends. He loved the Gospel.  He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  Pearl his wife, was not a member when they married.  Pearl said she would never become a “Mormon.”  Well, LaRell thought otherwise.  The LDS Missionaries knocked on their door, while LaRell was working across the street.  He yelled for them to go on in, she’s inside, he said.  Pearl saw the missionaries and hid herself in the basement.  Those persistent missionaries tracked her down and began teaching.  They must have been inspired. She was baptized shortly after and LaRell and Pearl were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on October 8, 1973.  Now, their together again.

A funeral will be held Wednesday  March 9, 2022 in the Orchard 10th Ward Chapel, 3317 South 800 West, Bountiful, UT 84010.  A viewing will be held one hour prior to the services in the Orchard 10th ward chapel.

Join from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device:
Please click this URL to join. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89187530469?pwd=bTJCbU9iMHpwZWVyYnBQZEVuazY5dz09
Passcode: 555261