Eugene "Gene" Gail Larson

Eugene Gail Larson

August 13, 1944 – April 9, 2024

Eugene “Gene” Gail Larson, was born on August 13, 1944, in Washington, to Sydney Russell Larson and Gerda Christine Brockman Larson. The young family moved to Boise, Idaho, and lived at 402 E Jefferson, where they remained the rest of Eugene’s childhood.

After he graduated from Boise High, Gene was called to serve in the East Central States Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Tennessee, West Virginia, and Kentucky.

After his mission, Eugene returned to Boise and began attending Boise Junior College (eventually becoming BSU). Here he met the love of his life, Sheila Fife. They were married August 16, 1966, in the Idaho Falls Temple for time and all eternity.

Eugene and Sheila moved to Provo, Utah, to attend BYU where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Sociology. They then moved to San Jose, California, where he completed his master’s degree in Social Problems and Family Counseling.

After graduating from San Jose State, Gene accepted a job with the Idaho State Department of Corrections serving as the very first counselor the penitentiary had ever hired. He also accepted a position as an adjunct professor at Boise State College (aka Boise State University).

In 1971, Eugene and Sheila purchased a small farm near the corner of Overland and Eagle Road in Meridian. Here they built their first home and began raising their herd of Charolais cattle.

In 1972, they welcomed their first child, Guy Russell, and four years later in 1976 they welcomed their daughter, Christine Dove. In 1978, Gene and Sheila purchased an 80 acre farm on Victory Road and Black Cat Road. Here they raised their family as well as a small herd of Charolais cattle and other farm animals. Eugene worked very hard on his farm, all the time continuing full time work with the Department of Corrections for the State of Idaho.

In 1994, the farm was sold, downsizing to only 11 acres facing Black Cat Road. Here they lived, raising a few beef cattle and pigs, until 2016, when they sold the home and remaining property, to build their current home in Meridian.

During this time with the State, Gene was the initiator in the development of many wonderful programs to assist inmates in and outside of prison. Gene retired from the State of Idaho in 1999 after 30 years of dedicated work. After retirement he started a program to further assist probationers and parolees in the community to learn life skills to hopefully keep them successful and out of the prison systems.

In retirement, he was able to enjoy traveling to many places around the world like: Japan, Europe, Mexico, Central America, Canada, Alaska, Hawaii, and many places in the continental United States with his dear wife.

Gene was known for his contagious chuckle, his love of classic cars, teaching how to budget your money, as well as investing. He was generous with his knowledge, sharing with anyone who wanted to learn. He also was willing to help those in need in any way he could.

The last four years of his life, Gene suffered with numerous health conditions. His wife, Sheila; daughter, Christy; and grandchildren: Dillion, Hayley, and Madison, rallied around him to offer love, care, and support. They all surrounded him when he graduated this life on April 9, 2024, and they will dearly miss him.

Eugene is preceded in death by Sydney, his father; Gerda, his mother; and Mary, his sister. He is survived by Sheila, his wife; his brothers: Sid (Ruth) of Arizona and Stan (Patty) of Utah; his daughter, Christy (Nimo) of Kuna; grandchildren: Dillon of Boise, Hayley of Boise, Madison of Kuna; his great-grandchild, Cash of Kuna. His son, Guy and grandson, Devin of Eagle. He is also survived by many brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews, and many friends. All will greatly miss him.

A special thanks to St. Luke’s Hospice, especially his nurse, Judy W. for the amazing care they gave to him at the end of his time on this Earth.

Memorial services will be held on April 25, 2024, at 10:30 AM with a “gathering of family and friends” (in lieu of a viewing) from 9:30 AM to 10:15 AM at the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building located at 2555 S Stoddard Road, Meridian, Idaho.

He will be cremated under the direction of Accent Funeral Home and Cremation, Meridian.