Lowell Elwood Larson, 65, passed away peacefully Feb. 15, 2009, with his family by his side after battling early-onset Alzheimer’s disease for 11½ years.
He was born in a log cabin at his family’s original homestead in Dodson, Mont., on July 9, 1943. Raised by his mother, Irma Jean Larson, in Havre Mont., he learned at an early age the value of hard work and the importance of education. As a young boy he had the largest paper route in town, worked with his grandfather on the farm where he was born, and prepared himself for a life that would eventually take him far beyond the dusty, windswept plains of his youth in eastern Montana. Lowell married his high school sweetheart, Anita Hamblock, in 1967. After receiving his Bachelor of Science in microbiology and pharmacy degree from the University of Montana, Lowell began his professional life in Rochester, Minn., in 1970. After spending 6 years with Osco Drug, he moved his family west to Seattle in 1976 and continued his career with Group Health Cooperative. He was instrumental in the early growth of Group Health and worked and managed several pharmacy clinics around the Puget Sound area. He was a larger-than-life figure for many patients in and around the clinic who benefitted from his total commitment to helping and caring for them. A proud father of three boys, Nathan, Preston, and Dustin, Lowell was always there for his children. Each summer he returned with his boys to the Straits of Juan de Fuca where he shared his passion for salmon fishing, and where he felt most at peace. He was a big-hearted and caring man who always had a warm smile and ready joke for everyone. As somebody who himself came from humble beginnings, Lowell never lost sight of those less fortunate in life. He was always on call and always first in line ready to help those in need. Lowell leaves a lasting legacy through his wife, Anita Larson; three sons, Nathan (Malia) Larson, Preston (Fernanda) Larson, Dustin Larson, and his four beautiful granddaughters, Sophia, Alexis, Olivia, and Tiffany. Services honoring his life will be held at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Federal Way, 30525 Eighth Ave. South, Federal Way, WA 98003. A vigil will be held Thursday at 8 p.m. on Feb. 19 and a full service will be held Friday, Feb. 20, at 10:30 am. Remembrances in honor of Lowell E. Larson may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association 12721 30th Ave Ne Suite 101, Seattle, WA 98125.
