John V. Larson

John passed away peacefully and with dignity the morning of February 15, 2018, at the age of 89. He was born and raised at his homestead in Telferner, Texas on June 25, 1928 to Victor S. Larson and Hilma M. (Swanson) Larson and his only sibling, Esther Wehlmann. He was a member of First English Lutheran Church his whole life and was baptized April 21,1929.

John graduated from Patti Welder High School in 1944, and attended various institutions of higher learning including Victoria College. He enlisted in the U. S. Navy April 1946, and continued his service in the U. S. Army from 1951-1954 and completed his service in the U. S. Army reserves through 1960.

John met a Miss Dolores Vogt along about 1947 and on October 7, 1950 they became Mr. & Mrs. John V. Larson. Their love grew into the adoption of their son, Mark John Larson in 1959 and a daughter, Melissa Kaye Larson in 1964.

John's strong work ethic started at the family farm where he shadowed one of his biggest mentors, Grandpa A. J. Swanson. One of his favorite jobs was held at Great Western Investment Company, working for Mr. Mike Stevens, Sr. Shortly after expanding his family from three to four, John was met with unemployment and was immediately blessed with a position at First Victoria National Bank on January 11, 1965 where he served not only the bank but the people and Victoria service on numerous boards, commissions and local events. He ended his thirty years at the bank as Senior Vice-President in 1995. John and Dotie's retirement dreams were cut short when Dotie passed in 1997. John had to start redirecting his life and began by working part-time at Colonial Funeral home; to which Melissa would always jokingly say, 'he might as well, he's going to attend all the funerals anyway!'

His high standard of altruism was probably cultivated most as he began pursuing the Royal Secret of the 32nd degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite and accomplished Master Mason in 1985. Whether it was an organized affiliation or a conversation and firm handshake on the street, John Larson was always there with a “hand up”.

During his final journey he never waned from wanting to return home or go fishing at Rockport, Texas. He was constantly asking about his family and never gave up on trying to be of service to everyone around him.

He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, mother and father-in-law, Theodore and Esther (Schmidt/Burchers) Vogt, brother-in-law Roland Vogt (Ann Mauzy-Lassmann) and sister-in-law Loretta (Vogt) Grissom (Dale).

He is survived by his son, Mark J. Larson (Debbie), grand-daughters Katelyn Marie Larson and Jessica Ashley Larson all of Yorktown, Virginia; daughter, Melissa Larson; sister and brother-in-law, Esther and Franklin Wehlmann; niece, Kathy Wehlmann Svetlik (Larry), all of Victoria; great-nephews, Randy Svetlik (Andrea), Jeff Svetlik; and four great-great-nephews and niece, Rowan, Erin, Ryan and Riley. He is also survived by his nephew and family on Dotie's side, Michael Grissom (Margaret), Paul Grissom (Claire), Catherine (Grissom) Ansolabehere (Jon), and Tom Grissom; great-great nieces and nephews, Ben, Alice, Robert, Theo.

Pallbearers will be Wayne Jacobs, Greg King, Larry Svetlik, Jeff Svetlik, Larry Reinecke and David Reinecke.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Michael Grissom, Steve Nelson, Roy Johnson, Ed Taglibue, Clyde Workman, Lloyd Niemann and Charles Lassmann.

Visitation will be from 5 – 7 pm Friday, February 23, 2018 at Rosewood Funeral Chapels. Funeral services will be at 10 am Saturday, February 24, 2018 at First English Lutheran Church. Burial will follow in Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to First English Lutheran Church, 516 N. Main, Victoria, Texas, 77901, Brownson Home, P. O. Box 2022, Victoria, Texas, 77902 or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Share condolences at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com.