Gordon Vaughn “Sam” Larson, 87, of Humboldt died Thursday, Oct. 21, 2010, at Pinecrest Nursing Home in Humboldt.
He was born Sept. 13, 1923, in Chanute, to Harold and Ina (Vaughn) Larson. He grew up in the Petrolia and Iola areas and graduated from Iola High School in 1942. He served in the Merchant Marines during World War II.
In October 1944, he married Jacquelene Gifford Ronsick. They had two daughters before they divorced in 1964. Later he was married to Nancy Pratt from 1967 to 1980 before they divorced.
He has made his home in Humboldt, Lincoln, Neb., Fergus Falls, Minn., Minot, N.D., and after retirement he moved to the Chanute/Petrolia area to be near his father.
He worked for an oil company, as a railroad track inspector, for Goodyear Tire, Elgin Watch Company, Singer Sewing Machine Company, as an independent telephone cable splicer and then for Northern States Power Telephone Company in Minot for more than 20 years before his retirement.
He was a member of the American Legion in Chanute. He was a pilot and flew the family from place to place. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, canoeing and hiking. He raised parakeets and tropical fish and was a collector who enjoyed tinkering with radios, clocks and other appliances.
He is survived by two daughters, Bonita Larson Baker, Humboldt, and Marcelle DeVon Miller and her husband, Ron, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; and two grandchildren, Shawn Pepper and his wife, Summer, Yorba Linda, Calif., and PaviElle Browning her husband, Michael, Stevensville, Mont.
A brother, Robert, died earlier.
Cremation has taken place.
Memorial services are being planned in Humboldt in November.
Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel of Iola is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences for the family may be left at iolafuneral.com.
‘Sam’ Larson
