We Remember

LARSON, Earl

December 21, 1943 — April 23, 2025

Born on December 21, 1943, in Elk Point, Alberta, Earl Larson departed on April 23, 2025, in the Kelowna General Hospital, Kelowna, BC, at the age of 81.

He was predeceased by siblings George, Allen (Shirley), Raymond, Rebecca, Irene, Nels, Viola (Barry), Jean, Cecil Ricky, Fern (Myron), and Larry, as well as his brother-in-law Bruce.

Born to the late Nelvin & Ethel (née Hannah) Larson in the darkness of winter, Nelvin junior, known by his middle name, Earl, didn’t let that darkness dictate his life, in fact his outgoing and friendly personality was a light wherever he went. One of 16 siblings, Earl was very close to all his family. He married the love of his life, Pat, and started a family of his own. He was always the first to greet new neighbours and was everyone’s best friend.

Earl spent his life working hard. It started in a tire bay – hot summers, freezing winters, and a daily rhythm of lifting, hauling, bending. He learned early to trust his own strength. The work didn’t allow for pretense. Either the tire was mounted right or it wasn’t. He was also a self-taught mechanic and became the “go to guy” in his neighbourhood. Problems had causes, and causes had fixes. If the truck didn’t start, there was a reason, and Earl was the kind of man who could find it. That sharpened something in him: patience, problem-solving, a tolerance for repetition. From then on he was always tinkering at home, he never threw things out, he fixed them. Then came a few years of long roads and the solitude of truck driving. Hours of thinking time, time to enjoy his favourite music (John Denver, ABBA, Simon & Garfunkel, or Bob Seeger), and the knowledge that he was still getting things done. Deliveries meant deadlines. Delays meant costs. But Earl could be relied on. Independence was not just a habit, but a need. He was built tough and faithful. Honest work made him that way.

In retirement, he was able to make up the time spent away from Pat, and they shared many more loving years together. In 2019, they went on their first trip to Europe, stopping in England on the way to Rome for a Mediterranean cruise. In England, they visited Pat’s father’s little village in Sussex and had a magical day. Even though it was Pat’s heritage, Earl counted that day as one of his favourites of the trip.

Earl will be dearly missed.

Earl is survived by his dear wife, Patricia; his sons, Steve (Cindy) and Dan; grandchildren, Ashley (Cory) and Cam; siblings Carl, Karin (Perry), and Judy; sister-in-law Lorna; and in-laws, Perry, Shirley, Barry, and Myron; as well as his purring kitty and faithful companion, Ice.

A Memorial Service, will be held on Monday, May 12, 2025, at 1:00 PM (PDT), at SPRINGFIELD FUNERAL HOME, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC. If you are unable to attend in person, please join the family online by Livestream at the time of the service (see below), a recording will be made available to view in 3-5 days.

If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area call “Condolences”.

LIVESTREAM:

 

Service
Monday, May 12, 2025, at 1:00 PM (PDT)

Location
Springfield Funeral Home

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