David Carl Larson

David (Dave) Carl Larson, 70, of San Antonio, Texas passed away at his home as a result of pancreatic cancer on Monday, February 15, 2021. Driven by the desire to spend as much time with his loved ones as possible, he handled his illness with strength and grace. On his final day, Dave was surrounded by his wife, Darlene and sons, Jesse and Peter.

Dave was born on November 14, 1950 in Minneapolis, MN, the first child of Rev. Clarence O. Larson and Frances J. Larson. After elementary school in Minneapolis, the family moved to Minot, ND where Dave attended junior high and all but his senior year of high school, which was completed in Powers Lake, ND. Dave received his bachelor’s degree from Jamestown College in North Dakota.

At the age 16 Dave met his soul mate, the love of his life, Darlene Durward. After their first date, there was no looking back! They married in Powers Lake in 1972 and would have celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary this summer.

For forty years, Dave was as a licensed chemical dependency counselor (LCDC). Early in his career he worked with teens in North Dakota, then at Parkside, a private practice in San Antonio. Dave ended his professional career at Villa Serena, an addiction treatment center of the South Texas Veterans Health Care System where the people he served affectionately called him “Doc.” He retired four years ago, learning of his pancreatic cancer diagnosis a few weeks later.

Dave was a quiet, thoughtful and nonjudgmental person with great listening skills … qualities that contributed to being well-liked by pretty much everyone he met. And he was a family man from start to finish! His wife, children and grandchildren added these words to describe Dave: selfless, kind, gentle, helpful, loving, humble, patient, honest, reliable, always took whatever time was necessary to do things well.

Memories of this special man will be cherished by his wife Darlene Larson; his sons Jesse (Heather) Larson and Peter (Tricia) Larson, both of San Antonio; grandchildren Nolan, Sadie and Dylan Larson and Phoenix Maschek, Westley and Stellan Larson all of San Antonio; his siblings, Gordon (Lynette) Larson of Salt Lake City, UT, Melinda Larson of Sioux Falls, SD, Jon (Dixie) Larson of Mandan, ND and Stephen Larson of Long Prairie, MN. David was preceded in death by his parents.

In lieu of flowers, please be especially kind and see the best in those you encounter, listen longer and harder, be loyal … and if it suits you, play a couple Bob Dylan tunes as you drive to a good place to fish. These things will honor Dave the most. These are among the things he taught us. Memorials may be directed to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at www.pancan.org.