John Troy Larsen

John Larsen was born October 20, 1950 to John Willie and Sallie Comfort Herrod near the little town of Sandhill, Mississippi in a very small 3-room house. He was the sixth of what would eventually be 13 children born to Sallie. Poverty and abuse marred the family and, when she was old enough, the number two child, Elizabeth, began rescuing her siblings and placing them in foster homes or for adoption. At age 8, that was the case for John, known as Troy back then. He lived in some foster homes for a little over a year and then, at age 9, was adopted by Leonard and Nell Larsen. The Larsen family was in Jackson, Mississippi at the time for the purpose of constructing a chapel for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The year was 1960. Thus began a seven year stay with his adopted family that saw them living in Miami, Florida; Denver, Colorado; Madison, Wisconsin; Boulder and Fort Collins, Colorado. On his seventeenth birthday, John found himself on a bus headed to Texas where his birth parents had moved. He was taken in by sister Elizabeth where he finished high school in Shreveport, Louisiana and later would live with brother Pete in Nettleton, Mississippi. He spent a year in Tupelo, Mississippi working and saving to serve a mission for the church, which he did from 1971 to 1973 in southern California. Following his mission he moved to Booneville, Mississippi, working for Fred and Lenora at Reinbold Printing in the graphics and darkroom area. In 1976 he married Kathleen Cole for eternity in the Salt Lake Temple and they have three children who have made him happy: Kari Suzanne (Juston) Hooper; Daniel Joseph (Allie) Larsen and Katie Marie (Deshler) Jones. There are three granddaughters: Alaina, Sara and Audrey Hooper, all of whom spoiled John something terrible, and a little buddy grandson, Isaac Hugh Jones. Other employers included James Neal of Ripley at Mid-South Graphics; Danny Stites of American Land and Timber; Landmark Nursing Home; Juston Hooper of Gotcha Covered and Russell Stites of Pro South where he worked in the office. He also did restaurant video ads for Restravision, owned by Charley Kyles and Ruth Callicutt, as well as some for TV 19 in Ripley. He began working at Walmart in 2020, first overnight and then afternoon/evening. He made a number of Christmas videos for Church. John’s service in Booneville Ward spanned over fifty years with various callings such as Scoutmaster; Bishop’s Executive Secretary and Counselor; Clerk; Tupelo Stake Executive Secretary and Presidency Counselor and Booneville Ward Bishop. John loved native American history, having served part of his mission working with various tribes. He liked to paint, make Indian God’s Eyes as well as other minor things. He compiled a photo history of the Booneville Ward and sold copies at cost of the hundred page book. Along with that he did a book on the history of Troop 96 which was sponsored by the Booneville Ward. He was not an Eagle, however he was honored with the Silver Beaver. He was active in scouting since 1973 until 2020. John’s birth family consisted of siblings Mary, Elizabeth, Rose, Pete, Margie, Brenda, Carol, Jaunita, Oley, Ruth, Diane and Ben. His adopted family’s siblings were Lora Lee, Leonard, Tanis, Jay, Orrilla, Eric and Raleigh. He loved all of them. Several of the family have preceded him in death including his parents. He is survived by a number of brothers and sisters, his wife, Kathleen, his children and grandchildren. The families also consist of numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, in-laws and outlaws. John had many friends among whom were fellow church members, co-workers, babies and scouts. He considered himself greatly blessed beyond measure in spite of life’s ups and downs. He found that times when he thought God had forgotten him, he was actually being protected and prepared for what was next. He was well aware and grateful for the tender mercies and grace of Jesus Christ as Savior and Redeemer. He had a firm knowledge of Jesus Christ and the intensity of his love. Burial will be in the Old Mormon Cemetery in Prentiss County. The pallbearers will be Juston Hooper, Deshler Jones, David Cole, Andrew Finch, Ned Floyd, Jimmy Lawson, Jessie Lawson, Brandon Lawson & Kenneth Lawson. The visitation will be Tuesday, June 2, 2026 at 1:00 P.M.-3:00 P.M. with funeral to follow at 3:00 P.M. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Burial will be at the Mormon Cemetery.

John Troy Larsen

October 20, 1950 - May 31, 2026

About Us

What We Do

Contact Us

Grief & Healing

Plan Ahead

Obituaries

Resources

Contact Information

John Troy Larsen

October 20, 1950 - May 31, 2026

About Us

What We Do

Contact Us

Grief & Healing

Plan Ahead

Obituaries

Resources

Contact Information

Obituary Notification