Richard Ernest Larson

Richard Ernest Larson, a long-time Colorado resident, passed away August 18, 2019. He was born December 29, 1933 in St. Paul, MN to Lewis and Martha Margarita Larson (Munoz). During his childhood, he remained in Minnesota and he was raised by his maternal grandmother, Catalina Toledo. He obtained his GED, enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1952, served 3 years during the Korean War, and was Honorably Discharged in 1955. Richard re-enlisted in the Armed Forces, joining the Air Force that same year. During his 17-year enlistment in the USAF, he pursued an electronics career, served a tour in Vietnam and received numerous awards and commendations before retiring from the armed forces in 1972 at Wright Patterson AFB, Dayton OH. He married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Aurora Lopez, on August 5, 1957. Together they raised a son and six daughters. He and his late wife, Aurora, moved to Colorado in 1977. They supported one another while pursuing their education, travel, mission work, and their careers. While working full time, Richard attended Regis University, earning a B.S. and M.S. in Information Technology. He held a variety of engineering and managerial positions in the electronics industry with HP and Rolm Telecomm in Colorado Springs, eventually settling into a position as an IT Project Manager with IBM. In the 1980s, they relocated from Colorado Springs to Woodland Park, then to Westminster, finally building and retiring to their dream home in Fairplay, CO. Dedicated to his Catholic faith, he sought to return God's gifts by serving underprivileged people locally and globally with many organizations including - Habitat for Humanity, Amigos, Marion Soup Kitchen and Little Sisters of the Poor. He and his late wife were cornerstone members of their Catholic community in Fairplay. The original St. Joseph's Mission, established in 1874 could no longer support the growing community. Richard was instrumental in the design, planning, construction, and dedication of a new church for the St. Joseph's Catholic Parish. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying skiing, golfing, cycling, hunting, camping, rock climbing, and learned to sail. He was a member of the El Paso County Search and Rescue Team with his daughter Brenda, specializing in their Technical Climbing and Rope Rescue group. Richard was a voracious reader and especially loved military history. He was an aspiring but as yet unpublished author. Above all, he loved his family and his dogs. After the tragic death of his spouse, Aurora, in October 2016, Richard remarried in 2018. He and Lena Amaya spent an all too short, 15 months as husband and wife. She greatly enriched his life, sharing most of the last two years of his life. They planned to fulfill a life-long dream, traveling to sites of religious significance, but God called Richard home. Richard is survived by his brother and sister-in-law Horace B & Donna Williams, as well as his children and their spouses: Michael Larson & Elizabeth Hensen; Valerie & James Eckersley; Rebecca & Larry Joosten; Brenda & Dale Lindemann; Lisa Larson; Andrea & Montgomery Sykora; and Leslie Echelberger. Grandchildren: Richard & Gema Larson; Roxanne Larson & Jake Hutchens; Leslie Anne Davis; Cliff Davis; Jason & Rie Joosten; Timothy & Stefanie Joosten; Daniel & Gao Joosten; Winston & Abigail Cooper; Dr. Sheridan Cooper; Andrew Larson; David Furtado; CJ Wilson; Margaret, Sarah and Jacob Sykora; Hannah and Sam Echelberger. Great grandchildren: Leneta, Ashley, Rowan, Oliver, Jason Lee, Matthew, Emma Grace, Isabella Aurora, Elijah, Lelani, Andi and Xavier. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis Larson and Martha Margarita Williams; his wife of 59 years, Aurora; daughter, Susan; great grandchildren, Aliyah and Nathan; and his siblings, Nevelyn Garza and Jean Williams. Richard had an extensive list of friends too numerous to list here but the Larson family wishes to acknowledge their involvement in his life, the love, comradery and experiences shared with him as they created lasting memories, he truly treasured. Richards funeral services will be held at St. Marys Cathedral in Colorado Springs Friday August 30, 2019 at 10 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Little Sisters of the Poor 3629 W 29th Ave, Denver, CO 80211 or Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver, 3245 Eliot Street, Denver, CO 80211. Service Information Memorial Mass Friday August 30, 2019 10:00 AM St. Mary's Cathedral 22 W Kiowa St Colorado Springs, CO. Inurnment Friday August 30, 2019 12:00 PM St. Mary's Cathedral 22 W Kiowa St Colorado Springs, CO.