Paul and his sister, Joan, grew up in Preston, Idaho, high school class of 1949. There he was awarded the Bausch and Lomb award in science. It was a sign of his interest in this field. He attended Utah State Agricultural College in Logan, Utah, majoring in chemistry. He would experiment making gun powder, and made several homemade doorknob bombs in his basement, learning the hard way after one exploded in his left hand.
He was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity along with the ROTC.
After graduating college in 1953, he began his military obligation, receiving his commission as 2nd lieutenant in the U.S. Army Ordinance Corps at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland.
He was transferred to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. He trained in rocket science, radar technology, and rocket propulsion.
His final move was to White Sands Proving Ground, New Mexico, where he was involved in developing maintenance manuals for the Nike surface-to-air missile, along with Military Police duty.
It was there he met the love of his life, Valerie Davis, in 1954, and were married Dec. 17, 1955.
Paul was discharged in 1956. He left a civil service job for Dow Chemical in September 1957. His discipline was in resins research and development. He secured several patents in coating compositions and led global projects, including fast curing technologies. He retired from Dow in December, 1992.
He had a love for sailing and traveling to far off destinations with Valerie. Music and entertainment were his joys, and had a talent for playing the piano, guitar and harmonica. Not to mention his tap dancing days in the Junior Service League Follies.
But his greatest accomplishment and pride of his life was being a loving dad of four kids, seven grandkids, and nine great-grandkids. Family, commitment, tradition, generosity, and optimism were foundational values that guided him throughout a rewarding and fulfilled 92 years.
Paul is survived by his four children, Cindy McCoy, David Larson (Whitney), Daniel Larson, and John Larson (Lisa).
The family would like to thank the staff at Country Village Care and UTMB Angleton for the special care, attention, compassion and love given to him during his stays there.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, First United Methodist Church, 1600 W. Broad, Freeport. Visitation 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Service 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Donations in lieu of flowers are appreciated to His Love Counseling, Lake Jackson.
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