No headline

Thomas Claude Larson, 81

Thomas Claude Larson passed away peacefully on April 4, 2019, shortly after a wonderful 81st birthday celebration, surrounded by friends and family.

Tom was born in Wichita, Kan., on March 27, 1938, to Maxine and Walter Larson. He was brother to Walter, Kay and John. Growing up in Tulsa, Okla., he fibbed his way into the U.S. Marine Corps at the age of 16, doing one tour of duty and creating a lifetime of deep loyalty to the Corps, its people and institutions.

Tom moved to Seattle in the 1960s and married Suzanne, becoming a father to Michael and Jennifer.

Tom loved being involved in his community and felt a responsibility to do so, serving in the Army Reserves as a gunnery sergeant and as his son’s Cub Scout pack leader. Tom was always the first to step up when something needed to be done and he was the guy you called if you needed a helping hand.

Tom enjoyed camping with his family each summer — roaming across Washington, Oregon and Idaho — teaching his kids about the Northwest and the joy of living in this beautiful place. However, anyone who knew him knew that his first love was fishing (when he wasn’t trying to sink the boat, that is) He had a lifelong love of fishing; a rod and reel in his hand. Memories of him taking me out of school (“Hurray!”), and heading to Sequim to catch opening day, or down to the Cedar River to watch the teeming masses of bright red fish struggle upstream. He taught me to stop, to be still, to look and listen to nature. That was my dad.

Tom was a fun, mischievous extrovert and deeply loved his friends. Teasing and joking were how he showed that love. Nicknames, usually unflattering, were the surest sign you were loved by Tom.

In the 1980s, Tom went on to marry Elsie Larson, to whom he was happily married until the end of his life. Becoming a part of her family and her children’s families meant the world to Tom. They moved to Post Falls, Idaho, where they all could really enjoy the outdoor life he loved so much; where they made wonderful friends and became members of a loving church community.

Tom is survived by his wife, Elsie Larson; daughter, Jennifer Larson; granddaughter, Stella Sides; son, Michael Simon; grandson, Isaiah Simon; brother, John Larson and family; sister, Kay Smith and family; numerous nieces and nephews; and his step-children, Reisa Johnson, Kathy Crotts, Jeff Crotts, Ken Crotts, Mick Crotts and their wonderful partners, children and grandchildren.

Tom will be remembered at 6 p.m. on Friday, April 12, 2019, with a celebration of life and potluck at Mt. View Bible Church, 3974 N. Chase Road, Post Falls, Idaho.