LaVar Truman Bracken, 85, passed away April 17, 2017, at the Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George, Utah. LaVar was born October 9, 1931, in St. George, Utah, to Marcellus "Mar" Bracken and Ellen Matilda "Nell" Bowler Bracken, the youngest of eight children. He grew up in Gunlock, Utah.

He attended elementary school in Gunlock, Woodward Junior High and Dixie High School in St. George, Utah.

LaVar married Leah Frei on August 12, 1950.  They have five children: Bryan, Georgette, Leslie, Shirlee and LaMar.  They also reared two grandchildren: Jason and Jackie Mock.

LaVar worked for Barlocker Farms for the first few years after they were married.  He worked at OK Tire for approximately 25 years, then as a groundskeeper at the Bloomington Golf Course. He trapped in the winter for approximately 15 years after he left the golf course.  LaVar and Leah raised a garden when they moved to their home on Vineyard Drive, and this year's garden is doing well.

After retiring, LaVar and Leah served a "Membership Location Mission" for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

LaVar has always been a "horseman" with a natural ability to train and ride horses.  He was able to take horses that other people thought were too "rank" and, by determination and many hours in the saddle, he was able to make them into top performance horses, loved and used by him, his children and other rodeo competitors.  In addition to horses, LaVar was an avid hunter and fisherman.  Deer season was a highlight of his year and he often went hunting every day of the season.  Many family memories were made while hunting, and the stories of the adventures are still told and retold.

LaVar is preceeded in death by his wife, Leah and his parents and siblings.  He is survived by his five children: Bryan (Patty) Bracken of La Verkin, UT;  Georgette (Neal) Kent of Washington, UT; Leslie (Liz) Bracken of Perry, UT; Shirlee Lloyd of Santa Clara, UT; LaMar (Susan) Bracken of St. George, UT; Jason (Kodi) Mock of Veyo, UT; and Jackie Thomas of St. George, UT, 14 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.