Obituary
Larry Jerome Wells
January 5th, 1942 - July 6th, 2022
Larry Jerome Wells passed away on July 6, 2022, at the age of 80 after a ten-month battle with cancer at his home in Monticello surrounded by loving family. Larry was born January 5, 1942, in Ontario, Oregon, to German Ray and Lorna Bell Wells. Larry was the oldest of six children, Loren, Mary (Merritt), Carolyn (Martinez), Evelyn (Talbot), and Lorna Jean. Larry grew up in remote areas of Idaho and learned to love the outdoors. His family moved to Idaho Falls when Larry was around the age of 14.
Larry married Utona Erickson in September 1962. Larry and Utona had five children, Anngela (Buddy) Starnes of Iona, ID, Monte (Sheila) Wells of Monticello, UT, Michelle (Bevan) Jeppesen of Rexburg, ID, Torren Wells of Rexburg, ID, and Tereena (Mark) Barnes of Rigby, ID. Utona and Larry were divorced in 1975. Larry married Karen McVey in 1977. Larry and Karen had three children John (Emilee) Wells of Roosevelt, UT, Chris (Krista) Wells of American Fork, UT, and Rebekah Wells. They also raised Aleesha, their granddaughter.
Over the years, Larry worked as a forest ranger, Helitack crew boss, a draftsman for the City of Idaho Falls, a Parole Officer, an EMT, and a private investigator. His dream job was his outdoor wilderness survival program that he started with hopes of helping convicts, addicts, and their families. With the help of Larry’s family and friends, the program started in 1971 and ran until he retired in 2015. His program was known over the years under Expedition Outreach, Wilderness Conquest, and Wilderness Quest.
Larry moved Wilderness Conquest to Utah from Idaho in the late ’80s. Over the years, Larry has received numerous recognitions for being a pioneer in his field of wilderness therapy and for helping so many people “start living life.” He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Carolyn, and his daughter Rebekah. He was blessed with 29 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren.
Larry didn’t want us to mourn his passing and chose not to have a funeral. He preferred a celebration of life.
