Aleron H. Larson, Sr.

Aleron H. Larson, Sr.

December 2, 1917  -  March 5, 2016

Aleron H. Larson, Sr., born December 2, 1917 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin to Raymond A. Larson and Inga (Tauger) Larson, passed away on March 5, 2016. Prior to World War II he was a test pilot and flight instructor with the Army Air Corps. After Pearl Harbor was attacked he led one of the first squadrons of B26 medium bombers to New Guinea where, after numerous missions and being seriously wounded attempting to save his plane from a Japanese attack, he was awarded the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Purple Heart.  He was sent to William Beaumont Hospital in El Paso, Texas to recover from his wounds. He married the former Ann Gene "Peggy" Thurston of El Paso, Texas. They had four children, Aleron H. "Buzz" Larson, Jr., Julie (Larson) Catlin, Thomas E. Larson and Jonathan H. Larson. He is survived by his children, eight grandchildren and five (soon to be six) great grandchildren.

Mr. Larson was a graduate of the Eau Claire Teacher's College and the University of Wisconsin Law School and was admitted to practice law in Wisconsin and Colorado. At various times he served as corporate counsel for several companies and later practiced securities and corporate law in Denver.

He studied art under his father-in-law, Eugene Thurston, a well-known southwestern landscape artist in El Paso, and occasionally showed some of his work in galleries in Denver and Sante Fe.

He loved hiking and fishing in the Colorado Mountains. And he blessed and delighted his family with his love and ever present humor.

Family and friends are encouraged to share stories and photograph's here on Aleron's website (click appropriate tab above).