James Orville Larson

On April 23, 2021, James Orville “Jim” Larson, loving husband, brother, father, papa, and friend, passed away at home at age 75. Jim was born on February 5, 1946, in Rugby, North Dakota, to Walter and Lillian Larson. He was the youngest of 11 children. Jim grew up on a farm in Leeds, North Dakota. He served in the United States Army from 1964 through 1967 and was honorably discharged as a Sergeant E5 with the 101st Airborne Division. While serving, he received the National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Parachute Badge, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Infantryman’s badge, and the United States Army Commendation Medal for exceptionally meritorious service. On December 6, 1968, he married Judy Weflen of Tioga, North Dakota. They resided together in North Dakota and Idaho, before settling in Olympia, Washington, in 1976, where they raised their four children, Troy, Travis, Toby, and Tonya. Jim and Judy were married for 52 years. Jim was a proud Dad and Papa to 10 grandchildren. He was a faithful, dedicated, and hard-working man of honor. He had unwavering integrity in everything he did. He was an athlete, a coach, a friend, and a hero. Jim played countless games of horse, caught hundreds of baseball and softball pitches, and drove unlimited miles to support his kids and grandchildren in all their different sports and activities. Jim worked numerous jobs, but being a husband, father, papa, brother, and friend is what he invested in most. He enjoyed watching Westerns and any Seattle sports team. He had fun playing horseshoes, golf, family card games, and was always busy with honey-do-list home projects. Most importantly, Jim loved spending time with family. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Lillian Larson; siblings, June Larson, Vivian (Myron) Almlie, Wallace “Wally” (Blanche) Larson, Donald “Donnie” (Lillian) Larson, Carroll (Thelma) Larson, Ragnhild “Tootsie” (Orville) Johnson, Walter “Sonnie” (Beatrice) Larson, and Willard “Bud” (Shirley) Larson; and in-laws, Rudolph and Esther Weflen, Howard Weflen, Randy McGinnis, and Wanda Weflen. He is survived by his wife, Judy Larson; his four children, Troy, Travis (Sheri) Larson, Toby (Heather) Larson, and Tonya (Scott) Charland; his 10 grandchildren, Breanna Larson, Cierra Larson, James Chadd Charland, James Rudolph Larson, Nolan Larson, Julie Charland, Jay Larson, Alyssa Larson, Jenna Larson, and Robert Yarbrough; his two brothers, Dennis “Denny” (Luella) Larson and Gary “Cookie” (Donna) Larson; his in-laws, Gary Weflen, Dennis Weflen, June McGinnis, Dale (Sue) Weflen; and many nieces and nephews. Jim will be laid to rest in a private family ceremony at the Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington, on May 10, 2021 at 12:30 p.m. Memorial services for family and friends will follow at Emmanuel Bible Fellowship, 2508 State Avenue SE, Olympia, WA 98506, at 5:30 p.m. Norwegian Blessing May da ruts always fit da wheels in your pickup. May yur ear mufs always keep out da nort wind. May da sun shine warm on yur lefse. May da rain fall soft on yur lutefisk. And until ve meet again, May da Good Lord protect ya from any and all unnecessary Uff Das. -J. Holler Forever loved. Please leave condolences or share memories and photos on the Tribute Wall to the left.