Darrell Thomas Larson, 60

Darrell Thomas Larson passed away suddenly on Oct. 15 in Spokane, Washington, from complications from cancer treatments while surrounded by his loving family.

Darrell was born July 30, 1956, to Duane and Bev Larson in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. He attended school in Kalispell at Hedges, Linderman, and Flathead High School, graduating in 1974. He then joined the Army and later attended the University of Montana. Darrell then worked in various places in Montana, including Big Mountain in Whitefish, a Guest Ranch on Upsata Lake, and many downtown establishments in Kalispell. He attended the Alamon Training School in Kalispell where he learned his technical skills. After that he worked in many places in the world — Okinawa, Turkey, Korea, Ohio, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Texas, Washington and Idaho — installing fiber optics and telephone systems in hospitals and many schools.

Darrell loved Montana and everything about it. He was an avid fisherman and outdoorsman. He especially loved to fish the Madison and Clark Fork rivers, spending time with his family and friends, both old and new, and swapping tales over a campfire. He loved the beauty of nature and could always see and appreciate the best in each person that he met.

He was a generous and giving person. In high school and later, he worked tirelessly with developmentally disabled adults and for a time worked at the Boulder School. He and his group of committed teenage friends volunteered many hours at Flathead Industries when it first began. At the time of his death, Darrell was an active member of Real Life Ministries in Post Falls, Idaho.

He is mourned by his wife of 25 years, Pamela, of Cheney, Washington; parents, Duane and Bev Larson; brother, Tim Larson; sister, Kelly Peters of Kalispell; stepchildren Ben, Polly, Kimberly and Jay, all of Washington; grandchildren William, Jessica, Rebeca, Lauren, Johners, and several great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and many good friends.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 20, at Northridge Lutheran Church in Kalispell, with Pastor Dan Heskett officiating. A reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Flathead Industries, Samaritan House, Benevolence for Real Life Ministries in Post Falls, Idaho, or Northridge Lutheran Church.