Don Larson | Obituary

May 5, 1928 – July 17, 2025

Don Larson of Mercer Island passed away on July 17 at age 97. Don was born on May 5, 1928 in Minneapolis to Margot and Philip Larson. Don graduated in 1946 from Washburn High School in Minneapolis and promptly joined the Marines where he was sent to Air Station El Toro CA to work on the F4U-4 Corsair, one of the best fighter planes in World War II. After two years with the Marine Corps, Don entered the University of Minnesota where he graduated in 1951 with a B.A. in economics. Don took part in Army ROTC his final year at UM. It was during this time he met his college sweetheart, Jeanne, whom he married in Perham, MN in 1951. Their marriage lasted 59 years until Jeanne ultimately passed in 2010. It was a shining example of one of Don’s traits — lifelong loyalty and devotion.

After college, Don served his country again as a commissioned Army officer where he moved to various places—Petersburg, VA and Louisville, KY. Don left the Army in 1953 as a Captain and joined the 3M company in the Reflective Products Division, which soon sent him to the state of Washington where he was a salesman representing 3M reflective material for their street name signs. After Don secured legislation that made it mandatory that all signs in the state were 3M reflective products, he applied this strategy to Oregon, Idaho and Alaska, which earned him 3M’s National Salesman award in 1968.

In 1975, Don took on a new 3M product, Tattle Tape, a library book detection system, which he sold to universities and colleges. Don loved the PNW which he called “God’s country.” With the exception of a two-year stay in Salem, OR, he resided on Mercer Island for over 65 years. Don retired at age 58 after 33 years at 3M. Retirement reinvigorated Don—he continued to serve his country. Don joined the Marine Corps League, the Civil War Roundtable, the Reserve Officer Association and the Washington State Guard—where he stayed for 17 years. He reached the rank of Colonel in the Washington State Guard. He and Jeanne also took many trips to Europe. Don was truly a historical expert and could rattle off facts on any world war, battle or political personality.

Don was fond of saying that his legacy was “putting his three boys through college.” David lives in LA, Tim on Mercer Island. Col Mark Larson, USAF, Ret., succumbed to cancer in 2012 after a long career flying fighter jets. Outliving one of his sons was one of Don’s saddest moments although the pride he took in Mark tempered his grief. On a personal side, Don was serious but had a fun-loving side. He enjoyed the company of the characters in our family and in his work. Don treasured family, friends, our nation, God and was a shining example of what Tom Brokaw called “America’s Greatest Generation.” Don is survived by sons David and Tim; his daughters-in-law Carol, Melanie and Ilona; his grandchildren James & Jessica, Brittanie & Ashley, Lina & Jake; and two spirited great grandchildren: Alexander and Daphne. Funeral services will be held on September 2, 2025 at 2:30 at Sunset Memorial Cemetery in Bellevue. A celebration of life will be held afterwards at Tim and Melanie’s home on Mercer Island. Remembrances may be made to The American Cancer Society and the Veterans of Foreign War.