Eugene Leroy Larson

Eugene “Gene” Larson passed away September 14, 2024, in Prescott Valley, AZ at the age of 79. He was born and raised in Missoula, Montana to parents Robert Heilding Larson & Magdalena Rosa Wingerter. Gene obtained a G.E.D. and enlisted in the U.S. Navy working maintenance on jets and helicopters in Guam, the Philippines, and in Vietnam. After serving in the U.S. Navy, he then enlisted in the U.S. Army going through bootcamp as an E-4, (he left his prior Navy service as an E-5). Afterwards, he was as again sent to Vietnam.

After his initial time in the U.S. Army, on June 3, 1976, he received an Associate of Applied Science in Electronic Technology from the Utah Technical College at Provo. Then, he attended Bringham Young University (BYU) and on December 17, 1976 he obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electronics and then obtained a commission in the U.S. Army as a 2nd Lieutenant. He had many responsibilities in the miliary; Company Commander of over 400 soldiers, Chief Maintenance Officer, etc. His military schooling included attending the Command and General Staff College, Combined Arms Service Staff School, Officer Advanced Courses (Signal Corps, Infantry, & Transportation), Personnel Administration, Office of Personnel Management-Advanced Supervision, Communications Electronics Staff Officer Course, Jet and Helicopter Mechanic, Teletype and Radio Repairman, Radio Systems Officer Course, etc. In 1990, he retired after 20 years of active-duty service with a final rank of Captain (O3). Gene took great pride in the enlisted personnel he supervised, as he stated, “They are the backbone of the U.S. military.”

On March 18, 1991, he received a Master of Arts Degree in Communication from the University of Northern Colorado. Then, on May 11, 1996 he received a 2nd Master’s Degree in Education through the Sierra Nevada College Lake Tahoe. Then, on June 19, 1998 he completed the Peace Officer Basic Training Program through the State of Nevada Department of Prisons.

Aside from his military and educational roles, he was also active in martial arts and earned a brown belt in Jujitsu and a black belt in Taekwondo. He was an avid runner, swimmer, and biker and enjoyed being outdoors. He always emphasized that his family was most important to him in life and as well as his service to others.

Gene is survived by his wife, Margaret, to whom he was married to for 46 years; his son, Benjamin Larson of Las Vegas, Nevada; his daughter, Rebecca (Abraham) Lopez of Tucson, Arizona; his brothers, Larry (Joan) of Kingman, Arizona and Donald (Diane) of Lolo, Montana; his granddaughter, Tiffany (Bennett) Baiamonte of Orem, Utah; and his great-granddaughter, Everley Baiamonte.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Magdalena; as well as his brothers, Richard, Michael, and Robert, and his sisters, Donna, Beverly, Bette and Kathy.

He will be laid to rest with full military honors at Fort Huachuca, AZ, where he was stationed on and off throughout his military career and where he retired from the military. He will be greatly missed!