Paul Larson

Paul Allan Larson, 64 died Thursday, February 23, 2012 at Catawba Valley Medical Center after four weeks of serious illness. Born May 4, 1947 in Chicago, Ill, he was the son of the late Robert Allan Larson who worked for the F.B.I. & Wilma Katherine Hermann Larson. At the age of three Paul?s family moved to the Washington D.C. area where he grew up and went to Northwestern High School in Hyattsville, MD and later graduated from Towson State University in Maryland. He taught high school in Maryland, D.C. area, Pennsylvania, California and in N.C. Paul?s greatest passion in life was baseball umpiring. He umpired almost 50 years, beginning in Recreation baseball, where he called games, in which his brother Bobby was a player. Bobby tells the story about Paul calling him out on the third strike and he cried, went home and told his Mother. Paul umpired J.V., High School, College Single A-South Atlantic League, Triple A, International League, Cape Cod League, South Atlantic Conference, Southern, Big South, and ACC. After retirement from the ACC he became an ACC Evaluator. He continued to referee and umpire for Lenoir-Rhyne and many other colleges as well as Recreation basketball, soccer and baseball. He started the soccer program at St. Stephens High School and later coached the soccer team at Bunker Hill High School. He worked for Pitney Bowes for 13 years. Most recently, he has been enjoying substitute teaching at Bunker Hill High School where he found great joy in his relationships with students and staff. Paul was an active member of New Life Authentic Christian Community Church in Conover. He was also a member of the Claremont Lion?s Club where he was a past President. His wife and the love of his life for 28 years, Mary Kathryne Harris Larson of the home; a daughter, Christy Lynn Barnard of Penn.; a step daughter Tammi Murray and husband Jeff of Claremont; a step son, Stephen David Walker and wife Tina of Conover; a brother, Bobby Anders Larson and wife Melinda of Silver Springs, MD; 9 grandchildren, Chelsie Moser, Chase, Christyan, Chandler and Charles Andrew Murray, Ashlynn Walker and Whitney Williams & husband Jeff, Ian Larson and Tori Estess and 2 great grandchildren, Hunter and Hayley Williams, a special brother-in-law, Carl Ray Harris; and constant companion; his dog Lola survive him. A grand-daughter, Charlie Ray Murray preceded him in death. The funeral will be at 7:00 pm Monday February 27, 2012 at New Life Church with Pastor Steve Clark officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:00-6:30 pm Monday at the church. Honorary pallbearers include The College Umpire Association and Coaches. The body will lie in repose from 2-4:00 pm on Sunday, February 26, 2012 at Jenkins Funeral Home. The family will be at the residence during this time. Paul has chosen cremation. His wishes were to have his cremains placed on the home plate of a designated baseball field. Memorials may be made to New Life (ACC) Authentic Christian Community, 4639 County Home Rd., Conover, NC 28613 OR The American Cancer Society P.O. Box 22718 Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718 OR The Multiple Sclerosis Foundation 6520 North Andrews Avenue Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309-2130. Please sign the online guestbook at www.JenkinsFuneralHome.net. The Larson family has entrusted arrangements to Jenkins Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Newton.