Carl Edward Larson

Carl was born February 15, 1933, in Rock Island, Illinois, to Carl Edward Larson and Pauline Minnick Larson. Due to his father’s death two months before he was born, during the Great Depression, the family returned to his mother’s parents in LaGrange, Indiana, where he and his older brother, Howard, were raised by his mother, his aunt, Lois Minnick, and his grandparents.

Carl graduated from LaGrange High School in 1951. While in high school he was active in basketball, track, chorus, and served as president of the Student Council and editor of the high school annual. It was during that time that he met and dated his future wife, Lora Lee Funk. He entered Indiana University in June of 1951 and graduated with a degree in Psychology in 1955, with a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force.

While in the Air Force, his career included tactical officer and OCS instructor at Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas; flight commander and assistant operations officer at Wakkanai, Japan; Commandant of Cadets at the University of Illinois; Assistant operations officer at Hof AFB in Germany; Operations officer and Deputy Commander Samsun, Turkey; Commander Sinop Air Force Unit, Turkey; and Deputy Commander USAFSACS, Goodfellow AFB, San Angelo, TX. Following his retirement from the Air Force in 1975, he worked as training manager for Rockwell International and the U.S. State Department training Iranian students in California and Iran, leaving Iran just prior to the Iranian Revolution.

Carl married his high school sweetheart, Lora Lee Funk, in September of 1955 in LaGrange, Indiana. Together they had 3 children: Karen Ann, Douglas Alan, and Suanne Larson. Lora Lee preceded him in death in 1982 at the age of 46. He married Betty Byrd in 1993 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Together they enjoyed the retired life, including frequent trips to the Riverwalk in San Antonio. Betty preceded him in death in 2007.

Carl was preceded in death by his first wife, Lora Lee Larson, his parents, Carl and Pauline Larson, his aunt, Lois Minnick, his brother, Howard Larson, sister in law Nancy Larson, brother in law William Funk, sister in law Beverly Funk, and his late wife Betty Byrd Larson.

He is survived by his children, daughter Karen Hooker and husband Ronny of San Angelo, Texas; son Doug Larson and wife Cindy of Sherman Oaks, California; and daughter Suanne Casey and husband Mike of Missoula Montana. He is also survived by Betty’s children, Stephen Byrd and wife Melissa of Granbury, Texas; Vicki Loso and husband Harley of San Angelo, Texas; Scott Byrd and wife Cindy of San Angelo, Texas; Mark Byrd of San Angelo, Texas; and Marcia Hisey and husband Randy of San Angelo, Texas. Grandchildren include Dr. Sara Halfmann and husband Jake of San Angelo; Captain Christopher Hooker and wife Victoria of Daleville, Alabama; Katie Lombardo and husband Matthew of Fairfax, Virginia; Travis Larson of San Diego, California; Kody Larson of Davis, California; Gage Casey of Missoula, Montana; Sophia Casey of Missoula, Montana; Michelle Bose of Midland, Texas; Stephanie Fadal and husband Chris of Lorena, Texas; Stephen Byrd Jr. and wife Alex of Midland, Texas; Shannon Goodman and husband Brennan of Midland, Texas; Lindsey Loso of Dallas, Texas; Carley Smith and husband Kevin of San Angelo, Texas; Shelby Flores and husband Angel of San Angelo, Texas; Skylar Jenkins and husband Justin of San Angelo, Texas; Spenser Hisey of Castle Pines, Colorado; Sterling Hisey of San Angelo, Texas; and Logan Hisey of San Angelo, Texas. Great grandchildren include Kyndel Halfmann, Bowen Halfmann, Madison Bose, McKenzie Bose, Mark Fadal, Kate Fadal, Lyla Byrd, Luke Baker, Kenley Smith, Harper Smith, Jaxson Jenkins, Autumn Jenkins, Rhylan Butts, and Blakely Butts. Carl is also survived by niece Martha Fry and husband Gary of Atoka, Tennessee and niece Barbara Sidawy and husband George of Vienna, Virginia.

Carl was raised Presbyterian, having grown up attending the First Presbyterian Church in LaGrange, Indiana, and later as a member of St. Mark Presbyterian Church in San Angelo, Texas. At his request, there will be a private graveside service for the family at Fairmount Cemetery. The Reverend Joel Moore of First Presbyterian Church will officiate. Goodfellow AFB will provide military honors. An open visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 19, 2022, from 8 am to 8 pm at Johnson's Funeral Home.

The family wishes to extend sincere thanks to the staff of Brayden Parked Assisted Living and Memory Care for their kindness and care of Carl. Memorials may be made to Meals for the Elderly or a charity of your choice.