Gerald K. Larsen, 47

Gerald K. Larsen, 47, of Ferndale, Mich., died Monday, Feb. 4, 2013, at his home, after an extended battle with melanoma cancer.

He was born Feb. 19, 1965, in Gettysburg, S.D., to Otto and Rayna Larsen. He was the first born of two children.

His father preceded him in death in July of 2008.

Gerald graduated from Ferndale High School in 1983. He briefly attended the University of Michigan. During his freshman year, he met and married his wife Sharon in June of 1985.

His education was temporarily put on hold when he joined the Marine Corps where he graduated No. 1 in his class, earning a promotion. During the six years he was in the Marine Corps, they traveled to California. They returned to Michigan where Gerald did a stint in the Navy ROTC. During this time, Gerald was providing a home for his dying mother-in-law. Afterward, Gerald rejoined the Marine Corps and he and the family moved to Quantico, Va.

He completed his Bachelor of Science degree in 1991. He furthered his education in later years, going to Wayne State University where he was pursuing a Ph.D. in the field of artificial intelligence.

Gerald was a Boy Scout in his youth and attained the rank of Eagle Scout. He carried this into his adulthood when he participated with his sons, Robert and Joshua, as a Cub Scout master. When viewing his daughter Amber in cheerleading or the Color Guard, he often said how beautiful she was.

Gerald enjoyed so many different things, and he had a passion for computers that would be a constant throughout his life. Gerald started businesses such as "The Mythical Realm" Bulletin Board System and building networks from the ground up, as well as various other titles for such companies as Becton Dickinson (Maryland) BBDO Detroit, HAP, Sprint and Three Rivers Communication in Fairfield, Mont.

He was a competitive board game player for years and then decided that playing for fun was much better. This carried over to his online gaming as well.

On a quieter note, Gerald liked to mountain bike. He also loved to hike and visit the national parks like Yellowstone, Glacier and Shenandoah with his wife. Just recently, they were able to see Mount Rainier, Olympia and the North Cascades parks in Washington state.

He leaves behind to cherish his memories, his wife Sharon, and his sons, Robert and Joshua, all of Michigan; his daughter, Amber, of Columbia Falls; his mother Rayna, his brother Matthew, and a niece Samantha, all of Columbia Falls. He leaves a host of other relatives and friends. Gerald had special relationships with fellow students, colleagues, many family friends and he will surely be missed.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Melanoma Research Foundation, P.O. Box 759329, Baltimore, MD 21275-9329.

A funeral service took place on Feb. 8 at Wm. Sullivan and Son Funeral Home in Royal Oak, Mich.

A gathering and visitation will take place from noon to 2:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 15, at his brother's home, 114 Box Elder Lane, Columbia Falls, followed by a graveside service with military honors at 3 p.m. at Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia Falls, with the Rev. Debbi Wacker officiating.