Major Wendell Marvin Larson, USMC, Retired

A Memorial Service will be held at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension at 2:00 pm on Saturday March 21, 2015 for Wendell Marvin Larson who passed away on Tuesday March 11, 2015 at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Biloxi, Mississippi. The Reverend Joseph Daly will officiate the service. Honorary pallbearers and memorial service support will include members of the local United States Marine Corps League. Mr. Larson was born on November 30, 1922 in Little Cedar, Iowa, the son of Hans Larson and the former Anna Nielsen Larson. He was a resident of Lafayette, Louisiana since 1966 during which time he was also an active member of the Episcopal Church of the Ascension and the local U.S. Marine Corps League. Throughout his time in Lafayette, Mr. Larson served in various other volunteer roles including the Boy Scouts of America and youth sports training and coaching. Mr. Larson was especially appreciated for assisting his wife in their personal ministry to homebound people in Lafayette. Wendell Larson served his country faithfully as a Marine Corps aviator during World War II and the Korean War. In World War II, Mr. Larson served in the Pacific theater of war during various naval engagements including the invasion of Okinawa and the occupation of the home island of Japan. During the battle for Okinawa in May 1945, Mr. Larson’s downing of a Japanese kamikaze plane destined for a U.S. naval destroyer (USS Evans) saved the lives of many men on that ship. His wife commented once that one of the biggest delights of his life was the reception and acknowledgement that survivors of that ship gave him. Mr. Larson went on to serve his country during the Korean War, and was part of the first US Marine Air unit that were called into service. For military service during both wars, he received the Navy Air Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and numerous other citations for valor and accomplished service. Mr. Larson graduated from the University of California at Los Angeles with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. Following his active military service, he trained air force pilots at Graham Air Base in Marianna, Florida during the late 1950’s. This is where he met his future wife and love of his life Jackie. He went on to fly agricultural planes in South Mississippi and Alabama in the early 1960’s, and then moved his family to Lafayette, LA where he flew helicopters for Petroleum Helicopters, Incorporated until the mid-1980’s. Mr. Larson was consistently recognized for his accomplished flying skills and exemplary safety record. He was an avid golfer and sports enthusiast. He also enjoyed playing golf with his wife, as well as jazz music and the Lafayette Symphony. Mr. Larson was a dedicated husband and loving father who went out of his way to quietly and humbly encourage and support those in trouble or in need. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Harrold Nels Larson, David Thor Larson, Vernon Maitland Larson and his sister Pearl Larson. He was also preceded in death by his daughter Catheryn Hart Corley and his wife Jacqueline Hart Larson. Mr. Larson is survived by his son Lars Larson and his wife and daughters Sarah Bourgeois Larson, Alexis Blake Miller and Abigail Grace Miller of Ocean Springs, MS. He is also survived by his nephews and nieces Jon Larson, Alan Larson, Mark Larson, Ann Larson, Jean Larson, James Larson, Cameron Larson, Karen Bello, Teresa Hayes, Paige Posey Warwick, Palette Posey Butler, and Stacey Kemp. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Episcopal Church of the Ascension, 1030 Johnston Street, Lafayette, LA 70501 and/or the US Marine Corps League, Acadiana Detachment, 488, 1310 Surry Street, Lafayette, LA 70508, in memory of Wendell Marvin Larson. The Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home in Ocean Springs, MS is in charge of arrangements.