Donald George Larson

Donald George Larson, 91, passed away peacefully at home on June 29, 2025. A funeral service to honor his life will be held on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at 10:30 AM at Stephens and Bean Funeral Chapel, located at 202 N Teilman Avenue, Fresno, California, 93706. All who knew and loved Don are welcome to attend. For those unable to attend in person, the service will be livestreamed via Zoom by following the link listed below the obituary.

He was born in San Francisco on September 5, 1933, to Bengt John and Olive Emmingham Larson, alongside his twin brother, Phillip. Don grew up in Kerman, California, with their older brother, Galen. He graduated early from Kerman High School and began college at 17, earning his associate’s degree from College of the Sequoias in 1952, his bachelor’s from UC Berkeley in 1954, and his M.A. in history from Fresno State in 1960. While at Cal, Don played in the Cal Band and served as Oski the Bear—bringing spirit and mischief to the sidelines. He described playing Oski as one of the most freeing experiences of his life, a rare chance to be both anonymous and exuberantly himself.

Teaching was Don’s calling. He spent more than 40 years in the classroom, beginning his career in a sixth-grade classroom in Caruthers before moving on to Kerman High, Fresno Unified, and eventually finding his home at Fresno City College. He believed deeply in the power of education to change lives and approached every lecture with energy, purpose, and heart. He taught history to thousands of students over 35 years, known for his booming voice, sharp wit, and gift for bringing the past to life. He also taught current events to senior citizens from 1965 to 2010, sharing his thoughtful takes and unfiltered commentary.

Don’s commitment to education extended fully into his family. His wife, Carol Larson, was not only the daughter of Edwin Kratt—longtime principal of Fresno High School and later district superintendent—but also a beloved kindergarten teacher in Fresno Unified for 26 years. Their daughter, Lynn Roth, proudly carried this legacy forward as an elementary school teacher in Fresno Unified, embodying the same tradition of care and dedication as her parents. Beginning in 1980, he brought that same insight, candor, and historical perspective to local television as a political analyst. His on-air contributions were thoughtful, principled, and accessible—offering clarity without partisanship and earning the respect of viewers across the political spectrum.

A lover of history in all its forms, Don’s interests extended beyond textbooks into architecture, culture, and the many dimensions of human creativity. He was a longtime admirer of iconic structures and meaningful design—drawn to places that told a story as powerfully as any book. From his beloved Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco to architectural icons across the globe, he would go out of his way to experience structures that inspired him—extending layovers to visit Fallingwater, touring “America’s largest home,” the Biltmore Estate, and exploring castles and palaces across Europe and Russia. San Francisco, in particular, held a special place in his heart, and he delighted in sharing it with his daughter Lynn on many of their visits together. He was an extensive traveler and a great appreciator of things well done, never passing up an opportunity to marvel at extraordinary places—or a well-built grand staircase.

Don had a lifelong fascination with World’s Fairs, amassing a renowned collection that is now housed in the Special Collections Department of the Henry Madden Library at California State University, Fresno. The collection, named in his honor, is considered second only to the Smithsonian’s. As he once wrote, World’s Fairs “captured a nation’s hopes, dreams, and vision of the future,” uniting countries in a celebration of innovation, human progress, and cultural exchange. His collection reflects his belief that these events offered a window into how societies saw themselves—and how they wanted to be seen. For his decades of dedication and support, Don was named the Henry Madden Library “Top Dog” at CSUF in 2011.

Don believed that sports built character, teamwork, and resilience. He started scoring basketball games in 1948—first at Kerman High, then at McLane and Fresno City College—and continued doing so for 61 years. For more than 30 years, he ran the football chain gang at FCC, all while mentoring students, cheering from the sidelines, and always keeping his eye on what mattered most: helping young people grow. In recognition of his decades of support and leadership in athletics, Don was inducted into the Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame in 2021 and honored by the Ram Huddle Club’s Wall of Fame in 1995 for his lasting impact on FCC sports. In 2019, the Fresno City Council officially named April 11 “Donald Larson Day,” in celebration of his unwavering commitment to education and the community.

A man of many interests and talents, Don was also a dedicated community leader. He served on the Fresno County Grand Jury, the Housing Authority, the Economic Opportunities Commission, and the Democratic Central Committee. In retirement, he co-chaired the capital campaign for Fresno City College’s Old Administration Building and served on the State Center Community College Foundation. In 2012, he was honored as both “Retired Faculty Member of the Year” and one of the “100 Stars for 100 Years” during FCC’s centennial.

As a founding member and Chair of the Board for Reading and Beyond, Don championed education for children and families, especially in underserved communities. His leadership strengthened literacy and empowered children and families to live productive, self-reliant lives.

A man of steady faith, Don was a devoted member of First Covenant Church in Fresno. He began teaching Sunday School in 1950 and never stopped, sharing his deep knowledge and quiet spiritual strength with generations of learners. He embodied his faith in daily life—through the way he listened, gave, welcomed, and cared for others. He lived out the call to serve “the least of these” in both spirit and action, offering kindness without condition and generosity without expectation.

Culinary joy was another thread that ran through Don’s life—from his adventurous palate to the cakes he lovingly crafted for family and friends. He delighted in bold flavors (famously loving escargot) and found deep satisfaction in preparing meals to share with others. For decades, he turned birthdays into edible milestones. From single to double digits, he baked every celebration into a number-shaped cake—first for his daughter Lynn, and later for his granddaughters. He also gifted more than 100 couples—including his daughter—with handmade, multi-tiered wedding cakes. That generous tradition continued until 2012, when he baked his granddaughter Jessica’s wedding cake. He came out of retirement once more in 2017 to create one final masterpiece: his granddaughter Jennifer’s wedding cake.

Don brought joy into the lives of others in more whimsical ways—perhaps most memorably through his legendary love of Christmas. Each December, his home transformed into a spectacular display of lights and holiday cheer that delighted neighbors, friends, and family alike. For Don, decorating for Christmas was more than a tradition—it was a celebration of joy, wonder, and connection. His enthusiasm was contagious, and the traditions he created continue to live on in his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

In his final two years, Don shared a home with Jessica, Trevor, and his great-grandchildren—a time filled with love, laughter, and deep connection, offering wisdom and gentle strength across generations. As he liked to say, only the most fortunate grandparents get promoted to great-grandparents.

He was famous for always being impeccably dressed—especially in the last 20 years, when he adopted his signature look: bow ties in every color and pattern imaginable. He believed that appearance was a form of self-respect, and he wore them with joy and flair.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 46 years, Carol Kratt Larson. He is survived by his daughter Lynn Roth, son-in-law Daniel Roth, and two grandchildren: Jennifer Roth and Jessica Bryant, along with their spouses, Jonathan Lehmer and Trevor Bryant, and his great-grandchildren Rachel, Charlotte, and Isaac Bryant.

He will be remembered with love, gratitude, and admiration by all who knew him—for his integrity, intellect, humor, and the light he brought to the world, especially at Christmas.