Edward D Larson

Edward David Larson (Age 87) Edward was born 26 Jun 1927 in Bellingham WA, the first child of Fred & Ivy (Withers) Larson. He spent his childhood in the Ten-Mile region attending the old Victor School on the Hannigan Road just south of the family home and in 1945 graduated from Meridian High School. With the passing of his father in late 1944, Edward took it as his responsibility to provide for his mother and 6 siblings. He joined the U. S. Navy in June 1945. During his time with the navy he was trained in San Diego at the Naval Training Center as a Fire Controlman and as an Advanced Fire Controlman. Upon his completion there he was assigned to the U. S. S. Bremerton (CA 130). Edward served 24 weeks on the USS Bremerton (CA 130) as Seaman 1st Class, FC. The ship was stationed in the Pacific for 'peace time maneuvers'. After 7 or 8 months of duty, the USS Bremerton was decommissioned and Edward was sent to Long Beach, California for assignment on the USS Atlantic (CL 104) (cruiser class). He served during the Navy Occupation, China Service and toured China and Japan. He received the World War II Victory Medal and was honorably discharged on 25 May 1948. In October 1948, Edward began working for Kaiser in the rodding room. In the summer of 1951, he began work at the Kaiser Carbon Plant as a 'block puller' on the swing shift and laborer on the day shift. In late 1952, Edward left Kaiser to enlist in the Korean War. A misplacement of his service records in Washington DC delayed his enrollment and so he returned to Kaiser where he was employed as a fireman’s helper, keeping the carbon bake rooms working on schedule. Later he was transferred into the chemical lab as a routine analyst. After six years he passed the requirements to qualify as a spectographer where he worked until it was automated. He then transferred into the Electrical Maintenance Department where he spent his remaining sixteen years. He retired 30 November 1982 after 32 ½ years of total service. In 1956, Edward built a 12 1/2 inch diameter mirrored telescope. He utilized the telescope at his mother’s in Mead until the early 70’s when he passed it on to a friend. A humble, giving man Edward was self-less with his time and money. His primary residence was in his mother’s home where he cared for her until her passing at 100 years of age. He often stopped everything he was doing to care for a friend or family member. He was compassionate about those in need and provided what he could to many individuals, as well as multiple charities. His greatest gift to the family was his musical talent. As a young man he picked up his father’s mandolin and played and sang at family gatherings and affairs until his death. He was known to play with various groups in the Mead area including the River Rounders. Sadly, Edward suffered from dementia in his later years and was admitted to Royal Park Alzheimer’s unit in the fall of 2013. He passed away peacefully on the evening of August 26, 2014. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Jack (Deloris) of Tacoma, and two half-sisters June and Dorothy Lindquist of Bellingham. He is survived by one brother and four sisters; Fred Larson, Nancy (Mac) Messer, Caroline (Norman) Martin, and Fern (Cliff) Halstead all of Spokane and Elizabeth Johnson of Deer Park as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will begin at 12 Noon - 5:00PM Friday, August 29 and from 9:00AM – 5:00PM on Saturday, August 30th at RIPLINGER FUNERAL HOME 4305 N. Division Spokane, WA. A “Celebration of Life” will begin at 11:00AM on Tuesday, September 2, at the funeral home followed by interment at Peone Cemetery in Mead.