Vernon L. Larson

Vernon Larson died in the evening of January 14, 2012 at Pomerado Hospital, Poway, CA, surrounded by his children and grandchildren. He had suffered a heart attack earlier in the day. He was 89 years old.

Vernon was born in Starbuck, Minnesota on June 1st, 1922, the son of a school teacher and a carpenter - Gertie and Victor Larson. He grew up in a home filled with singing, musical instruments, and 4 sisters. He married his grade school, high school and college sweetheart - Ardis Lynette Skoglund on November 25, 1944 at Fron Lutheran Church in Starbuck, following his graduation from the University of Minnesota as a Chemical Engineer.

Vernon Larson was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy on the morning of July 14, 1944, at the Hollywood Beach Hotel in Hollywood, Florida. He was sent to the Kwajalein Atoll in the South Pacific, where he skippered a Landing Craft Tank for LCT Groups 7 and 8 in the Marshall Islands until his honorable discharge in July of 1946.

Vernon began his career in Chemicals and Plastics working in Detroit, Michigan for the Bakelite Corporation, a division of Union Carbide. He advanced to serve as Regional Manager of Sales in Chicago, Illinois, and then on to a series of Department Vice Presidencies and General Mangerships in polyethylene, industrial relations and plastics, while working at corporate headquarters at 270 Park Avenue, Manhattan, New York. He retired as the Managing Director of Union Carbide Australia and New Zealand in 1983.

Vernon and Ardis made homes in Park Forest, Illinois; Sydney, Australia; and three different towns in New Jersey - Short Hills, Moorestown and Murray Hill. They retired to Rancho Bernardo, California. They were active members of the Lutheran Church their entire lives, and made dear, lifelong friends wherever they lived.

Vernon is survived by his daughter Barbara Jane Ochmanek and her husband David Alan Ochmanek of Washington D.C.; son John Victor Larson and his wife Miriam Ellen Larson of San Diego, CA; and Vernon’s grandchildren: James Edwin Ochmanek of Los Angeles, CA; Anne Skaaden Ochmanek of New York, New York; Nicholas Charles Larson of Pullman, Washington; and Johanna Ardis Larson of San Diego, CA. Vernon is also survived by his sister Ruth Larson Berg of Olympia, Washington. His wife, Ardis and sisters Margaret, Geneva and Carol preceded him in death.

A memorial service will be held at 11am, Friday, January 20, at the Lutheran Church of the Incarnation, at 16889 Espola Road, Poway, CA 92064. In lieu of flowers, donations in the memory of Vernon may be made to Lutheran World Relief, 700 Light Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21230, Interfaith Community Services at 550 West Washington Avenue, Escondido, CA 92025, or Lutheran Church of the Incarnation. Both charities can be reached online.