Harry Arthur Larson's Obituary
Obituary for Harry Larson
Harry Arthur Larson passed away peacefully on May 28, 2017 in his home in Green Valley with his family nearby. He was a dedicated servant of God and has given many years of his life in service to Him.
Harry was born in Turlock, California on December 5, 1930 to his proud parents Art & Hilda Larson. He attended school in nearby Hilmar all the way through high school. During these years he also helped his dad in the family dairy. After high school, he went off to college at Cal Poly – San Luis Obispo to study Dairy Husbandry. His friends would tease him “Why are you going to college to study about cows when you have been milking them all of your life?”
After college Harry joined the United States Air Force and was stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas for basic training. He was then transferred to Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo, Texas where he learned to be a pilot. While at Goodfellow he was invited to a Saturday night get together at the local Methodist church. Just so happened that a young lady named Wanda Schaefer was also visiting this get together with her best friend. Harry and Wanda really hit it off….. Wanda even gave him her phone number! On Sunday, Harry went back to the Methodist church to see the cute little thing he had met the night before, but she wasn’t there! He immediately called her once church was over. She told him that she went to the Church of Christ. Later that evening they got together and they went to church at the Harris & Irving Church of Christ in San Angelo. Wanda studied with Harry and he was baptized in 1952. Praise God!
October 25th, 1952 was a big day for Harry & Wanda. Harry received his Air Force wings & commission from the Air Force and Wanda received her engagement ring from Harry!
Harry was then deployed to Korea for the Korean War and was part of the 13th Bomber Squadron. He flew several bomber missions until the war ended in 1953.
After several Air Force related delays, Harry was finally able to come back home to San Angelo. Wanda and Harry were married March 6th, 1954. After they were married, they ended up living in many different places.
• Montgomery, Alabama – Harry continued with the Air Force until he was discharged.
• Abilene, Texas – Their son Bob was born here in 1956. Harry received his Bachelor of Science from Abilene Christian College.
• Brookings, South Dakota - Harry did his graduate work at South Dakota State
• Rapid City, South Dakota – Their daughter Julie was born here in 1960.
• Buffalo South Dakota - Harry worked for US Soil Conservation and began preaching part time at Faith, South Dakota. It didn’t take long before Wanda was sick of all the snow so they packed up and headed south.
• Winslow, Arizona - Harry started full time preaching.
After Winslow, the Larson Family moved to Tucson in 1969. Harry went to the University of Arizona and received his teaching certificate and then began teaching High School science in the Marana School District. The family began attending the Mountain Avenue Church of Christ in Tucson. Harry loved the Lord and the Lord’s people. You could find him teaching classes, preaching, and just generally helping others with a smile on his face. He was very active in many Christ centered activities such as Southern Arizona Bible Camp-Mt Graham, Show Low Bible Camp, Leadership Training for Christ, Ambassadors for Christ, Sojourners, foreign missions, Mobile Meals. In 1970, he was asked to be an Elder and he proudly served as an Elder until 2006 when he retired due to health reasons.
Harry was preceded in death by his parents, Art & Hilda Larson and his in-laws, Robert and Minnie Mae Schaefer. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Wanda Larson of Green Valley, Arizona; his son, Bob Larson and his wife, Patty of Cedar Park, Texas; his daughter, Julie Christopherson and her husband, Carl of Green Valley, Arizona; his granddaughters Tonya Dodd and her husband Kevin of Round Rock, Texas; Amber Taber and her husband Travis of Sachse, Texas; Sandra Waggoner and her husband Zack of American Fork, Utah; his great-granddaughters Avery, Claire and Emma Dodd of Round Rock, Texas. In addition, Harry had two step-grandchildren, Shira Christopherson and Kaleb Christopherson, and four step-great grandchildren, Aiden DeHoag, Kai-Lee and Hunter Christopherson-Skiles, and Enaeus Quiros all from Tucson, Arizona.
Harry will be laid to rest at Evergreen Mortuary & Cemetery, 3015 N Oracle Rd, Tucson, AZ 85705. Time to visit with the family and reminisce about Harry’s life will be at 9am on Monday, June 5th, 2017 at the Evergreen Chapel. Harry’s memorial service will be at 10am followed by graveside services (including military honors).
In lieu of sending flowers the Larson family asks that you send donations to: New Mexico Christian Children's Home, 1356 NM 236, Portales, New Mexico 88130. To donate online check out their website at www.nmcch.org .
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