Lynn “J” Larson passed away peacefully on the evening of May 30, 2017. Lynn and his twin sister Lynda were born on November 26, 1939 as the 12th and 13th children of Alma and Grace Larson of Glenbar, Arizona. A German doctor in the Gila Valley at the time offered to take the babies off of the family’s hands and the family promptly told him “no”, that they were happy to have them. Lynn and Lynda joined a family full of fun and love with seven older brothers and three older living sisters. While growing up in Glenbar, Lynn enjoyed all the joys that country life offered and spent many happy hours with siblings, cousins, and friends at home, school and church.
Lynn attended Pima Schools all his life. He had many good friends and enjoyable times. He played sports in high school, quarterbacking for the six-man football team. He graduated from high school in 1957, attended EAJC, graduated, then was called to the Central American mission. He served for 2 ½ years in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Quiche and other small villages in Guatemala and San Salvador, El Salvador. He became fluent in speaking Spanish while he was there. He returned home in 1962 and began attending Arizona State University. He soon met and married the love of his life, Lois Peel, in the Mesa Arizona temple on June 14, 1963.
He graduated from Arizona State in 1966 and began his teaching career. His first position was in Sanders, AZ at Sanders High School. He taught there one year and then was able to move back to Pima and work as a teacher in the Pima Public Schools. He taught high school Spanish for several years. He coached volleyball and took his team to State in 1967 and 1968. He taught 5th grade at Pima Elementary for over 30 years and taught many, many students who remember him fondly. For several years, he coached high school tennis and coached Little League sports for kids and grandkids. After retirement, he taught one more year at Ft. Thomas Elementary School.
Being fluent in the Spanish language helped Lynn teach English as a second language through EAC to Spanish-speaking adults. He gained many friends in the community through this service. He also prepared taxes for many Spanish-speaking families throughout the years.
Lynn was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Through the years, he served as a Scoutmaster, High Priest group leader, Extraction worker, taught classes and served as a Temple worker in the Gila Valley Temple from 2010 to 2012.
His greatest joy in life was his family. He enjoyed time on Mt. Graham, vacations and holidays with them and formed so many happy memories. He enjoyed being a son, uncle, brother, father and grandfather. Lynn and Lois raised four grandchildren to adulthood after their daughter passed away in 2000. He was beloved by family and friends.
He was predeceased by his daughter Vonda Gail Tavesi; parents James Alma and Grace Larson; sisters Claudia Venice Larson, Betty Jo Hunt, Barbara Brinkerhoff; brothers Wendell Larson, Stanley Larson, Kent Larson, Larry Larson.
He is survived by his wife Lois Larson of Pima; daughters, Alana Evans (Richard) of Moore, OK and Laura Walker (Robin) of Pima; sons, Royce Larson (Tonya) of Pima, Don Larson (Michelynne) of Mesa, Robert Larson (Stephanie) of Gilbert, Bruce Larson (Jennifer) of Mesa; 31 grandchildren, and one great grandchild.
A viewing was held from 6-8 p.m. on Sunday, June 4, 2017 at the McDougal’s Caldwell Funeral Chapel and again Monday morning at 9:00 a.m. with funeral services at 10:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Pima LDS Chapel, on Hwy 70 in Pima. Interment is in the Pima Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of McDougal’s Caldwell Funeral Chapel & Gila Valley Crematory. Online condolences may be extended at www.caldwellfuneralchapel.com.
Lynn “J” Larson
