John Waldemar Larson

John Waldemar Larson,91, died April 21, 2012 at his home in Des Moines, Wa. John was born on October 22, 1920 and was the oldest of three children born to John E and Hannah C Larson, Swedish immigrants in Seattle Washington. John graduated from the Franklin High School, in Seattle in 1938. After graduation John went to work in the Ester Alaska Gold Camp and then joined the Navy in 1943 as an Electronic Technician.

In 1944, he married Helen Pearson of Seattle. He lived in Bellevue for 17 years before settling in Des Moines, Wa living on Puget Sound at Redondo. He worked at for 37 years at Pacific NW Bell until retiring in 1983, as a Special Services Manager. Growing up in Seattle, John enjoyed many hours with his family and friends at his cabin on Pipe Lake in Covington, Washington. He had a yearly party at the lake for all his telephone company friends, and an annual 4th of July get together. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, boating and travelling but most of all his family. John was very proud of his Swedish heritage, he and his wife visited Sweden several times visiting the homes of their parents and meeting relatives. In 1995, John and Helen took their children and their families on a trip to Sweden so they too could visit the homeland of their ancestors. John was a member of the Telephone Pioneers Association and the Morse Telegraphers Club of America. He also was active in the Boy Scouts. In the year 2000, he met Audrey Razmus and her family, who became a part of his life and helped with his care at the end.

John was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Helen. They had a child Karen Marie (Larson) Barrett of Shoreline, Washington, three grandchildren, Ian James Barrett (Stephanie), Kyle Alexander Barrett (Lori), Michael Charles Larson (Andrea) and three great-grandchildren, Nicholas and Christopher Larson, and John Barrett and four step- great-grandchildren Andrew and Alex McAllister, Aryn Barrett and Michael Darwin. He is further survived by his brother Carl E Larson, and a sister Agnes Marie (Larson) Austin (Glen) both of Seattle. He has one niece Julie Ann and a nephew Jack Austin and many friends.

John will especially be remembered for his kindness, his generosity and loyalty to family and friends