A. Roy Larson

Adolph “Roy” Larson died May 13 of multiple myeloma. He was 88.

Larson was born to Adolph G. Larson and Ruth Coburn Larson in Exeter, California on Jan. 18, 1929, and spent his formative years in the San Joaquin Valley where he was raised to believe that family was very important. His life in a small town with hard-working parents, along with his own aptitude for logic, inquiry and enthusiasm for life led him to become multi-dimensional in both his work and his broader community interests.

While attending the University of Nevada, Reno, Larson met his first wife, Betty Jo Bronn at church, and they were married in 1948. After he graduated with a degree in electrical engineering in 1950, he served in the Army on the front lines in Korea. He worked in rocketry science at Aerojet, followed by a long career at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory initially doing laser research and then later serving as Project Manager at Site 300.

Larson was very involved in the lives of his and Betty Jo's five children, teaching them to camp, hike, fish, change tires and check oil, be responsible, give back and look for the positive things in life. He served on many church committees and the Newcastle School Board, and he was honored for his dedication to Scouting by receiving the Silver Beaver Award for adult leadership. His love for the wild horses led him to support their preservation through the nonprofit International Society for the Protection on Mustangs and Burros.

Music was one of his passions: he sang in church choirs, barbershop quartets, in the car and on trails, and in spontaneous four-part harmony with his children. In retirement, he built a barn and landscaped a yard on the family farm in Manteca, and became a dedicated member of the San Joaquin General Hospital Auxiliary. After his first wife died in 1996, Roy cared for the farm and also for his father who had moved nearby. He was able to release the past and embrace the future when he met and married Merlys J. Bosch.

For the past 16 years, Larson brought his quick wit, many gifts and positive spirit to College Avenue United Church of Christ, where as a member he served on Church Council and several committees, sang in the bass section in the choir, helped to build creative environments to support children's learning and performed as an unforgettable 6'6" Shirley Temple in a lip-sync fundraiser for the youth program.

Larson soon became a faithful member of the ROMEO breakfast group and the Mo Bookies book club, and shared his strong voice and enthusiasm by singing in the Modesto Symphony Chorus and the annual Habitat for Humanity Choir Concert. He was a strong supporter of the Modesto Peace/Life Center and the Stanislaus Literacy Center. He became known as "Rocket Roy" at Lakewood Elementary teaching rocketry in his stepdaughter's fourth grade G.A.T.E. class.

Larson is survived by his beloved wife, Merlys; his children, Trudy (Ron) Larson, Linda (Neal) Harrell, Mary (Giles) Popish, Robyn (Mark) Merrick, and Allen Larson; and Merlys' children, Laini (Jim) Gagliardi, Shalleen Bosch, and Rodney (Ellen) Bosch; and his 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, who the family hopes and expects will carry on Grandpa Roy's legacy.

A celebration of Larson's life will take place on Saturday, June 24 at 2 p.m. at College Avenue United Church of Christ, 1341 College Avenue, Modesto. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions may be made to College Avenue United Church of Christ, Interfaith Ministries of Modesto, or a favorite charity.