Preston Kirkham Larson

Preston K. Larson, a beloved son, brother, uncle and friend passed away peacefully after a lingering illness compounded by recent infection from the COVID-19 virus. He was born on March 18, 1942 in St. George, Utah, the first of six children of Preston Larson and Maxine Briggs Kirkham. He received his Bachelors and Masters Degrees from Arizona State University in Pipe Organ and Music History. He started his music career teaching in the Mesa, Arizona public schools in 1971.  Preston retired to Mesa after teaching for thirty-three years at the Brigham Young University-Hawaii campus. He taught various music and humanities courses, specializing in organ performance and pedagogy. He was passionate about classical music which he shared with hundreds of students over the years. He served successful terms as Department Chair and later as Associate Dean of Fine Arts at the university.

Preston was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints. He served as a full-time missionary in the Texas Mission and was ward organist where ever he lived for most of his adult life. Along with music,  he especially enjoyed his association in the American Guild of Organists, reading and traveling. He was preceded in death by his parents and younger sister, Valene. He is survived by his siblings: Debbie Totten (Ralph) Frymire, Meldon K. (Amor) Larson, Mark (Donna) Larson and Linda Jean Larson; seven nephews and two nieces.

A graveside service will be held Monday, December 28, 2020 at 12 Noon MST in the St. George Cemetery, St. George, Utah.  A live-stream of the service will be available at www.moapavalleymortuary.com.  The family invites you to leave a message or memory in their Guest Book at www.moapavalleymortuary.com.