Larson B. Clark Bennett, age 81, passed away May 9, 2025, due to unexpected complications following surgery.
Larson was born on April 7, 1944, in Dunn, North Carolina, to Grady Franklin Bennett and Cleo Wood Bennett. He was raised in Dunn alongside his two brothers, Frank and Jake. Though considerably younger, he remained close to his brothers until their deaths. Larson graduated from Dunn High School before serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served faithfully in Brazil, where he learned Portuguese, helped build churches, and taught the gospel that he loved.
After his mission, Larson earned his communications degree from Brigham Young University. While studying in Utah, he lost his Southern accent, but not his love of tomato sandwiches, his appreciation for vinegar-based BBQ, or his Southern manners. After graduating from BYU, he met his wife, Kleis Crockett, in Provo, where she was still studying, and he was working at a local radio station. Larson and Kleis married in 1973 and were entering their 52nd year of marriage at his passing. They had five children: Scott, Kara, Daniel, Christopher, and Kimberly.
Larson worked in radio for a number of years, both in Utah, where he would DJ as Tom Walker, and in Washington, D.C., where he would read the news as Don O’Day. His deep, powerful speaking voice commanded attention and served him well in his voiceover work. He narrated training videos for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, lent his talents to local and national advertising spots, and for years told viewers that they were watching KBYU. If there was one thing Larson loved almost as much as the gospel and his family, it was BYU football. He worked as the stadium announcer for BYU football and basketball in the mid-90s, and passed away a dedicated, 60-plus-year fan.
After his radio and announcing career, Larson opened and operated a Tommy’s Burger restaurant in Provo, Utah, which still exists under different ownership. He then transitioned into advertising, where his commanding voice and creative mind allowed him to bring his ideas to life. He and Kleis lived in Provo, Utah, for 25 years.
In 1998, he and his family moved to Arizona, living in Casa Grande and then Chandler while he worked as a creative director. After retiring from advertising in 2009, Larson and Kleis moved to Florence before finally settling in Safford, where he spent his final days.
Larson served in several church callings throughout his lifetime, including primary, High Priest Group leadership, the High Council, and as a well-loved Sunday school teacher. Professionally, he still dabbled with advertising and voice-over, but he spent most of his time practicing his lifelong hobby of woodworking. From bookshelves to decorations, Larson was never more excited than when he had a new project.
Larson loved having his wife, children, and grandchildren around and was always happy to encourage their interests. He loved airplanes, bad puns (a trait he unfortunately passed on to some of his children), and Christmas. He would make decorations and add something new each season to make the inside of his home as magical as possible. He was already working on something special for Christmas 2025. He is already dearly missed.
Larson is survived by: his wife, Kleis; and their five children and families, Scott (wife Shawnda Winward Bennett and children Tirzah, Tade, Jackson, Jace, and TJ ), Kara (husband Calvin Rasmussen and children Lindsay, Kaitlyn (husband Damien), Megan, and Maddison), Daniel (children Betty Lou, and Philo), Christopher, and Kimberly.
Funeral services for Larson will be conducted Saturday morning, May 17, 2025, at 10 a.m., at the Twentieth Street Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Bishop Russell Carter of the Lone Star Ward. Concluding services will follow in the Pima Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Saturday morning, May 17, 2025, from 9 until 9:45 a.m., at the Twentieth Street Chapel Relief Society Room of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
