Lew Genrod Larson

Lew Larson, of Donie and formerly of Corpus Christi, passed away Saturday, February 4, 2012 at his home in Donie, surrounded by his loving family. Visitation will be held Monday, February 6, 2012 from 5-7 PM at the Groesbeck Funeral Home. A second visitation will be held by Memory Gardens Funeral Home in Corpus Christi on Wednesday, February 8, 2012 from 4-7 PM. Funeral Services will be held by Memory Gardens Funeral Home & Cemetery in Corpus Christi, TX Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 1 PM with Rev. Clifton Jones officiating. Burial will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Randy Larson, Ricky Larson, Randy Lindsley, Bubba Wadlington, Robby Hyde, Scotty Carlton and Ty Gentry. Honorary pallbearers will be Conway Childress, Dick Goswick, Jerry Allen, Champ Champine, Tommy McDonald, Eddie Joe Hurst, Wallace Wadlington, Buddy Herin, Nick Llanes, Trent Turner, and Paul Kellum. Lew was born January 24, 1939 to Thorald and Julia Larson in Drayton, North Dakota. The family moved to Texas, and he grew up in Corpus Christi, where he graduated from Sundeen High School in 1956. Lew joined the U. S. Navy, where he served a tour of duty in Bermuda, and was in the Seabees doing construction, and later in the Reserves, for a total of five years. Lew was united in marriage with Joyce Marie Hyde on June 3, 1961 at Corpus Christi, where they lived forty years. He started working as a plumber for Gentry Co. in1961, and earned his plumbing license, and eventually was in partnership with Hoyt Gentry until 1980. He then owned and operated his own family business, Larson Plumbing and Utility from 1980 until he retired in 2000. Throughout the years in Corpus Christi, Lew was involved with many civic organizations, including Corpus Christi Plumbing Apprenticeship, where he sponsored many men in addition to his sons, through the apprenticeship; the Del Mar Masonic Lodge and the Shriners; Nueces County Livestock Show; Associated Builders and Contractors, serving as president and on the board several years. When Lew retired, he and Joyce moved to a beautiful ranch and home near Donie, where they have lived and raised fallow deer and cattle. Lew thrived on making sure his family was taken care of, and his greatest joy was watching the grandchildren grow up into self-sufficient adults, as well as enjoying the young great grandchildren. Although Lew started going blind in 2002 from macular degeneration, most people outside the family never realized it with his great attitude and patience. Lew was a man of his word in every aspect and was known for his handshake and his word being as good as gold, and earned the love of his family, and respect of his business associates, and all who knew him. Lew was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Clarence Larson. He is survived by his wife, Joyce Larson of Donie; son and daughter-in-law, Randy Lew and Donna Larson of Odem; daughter and son-in-law, Tammy and Robert Lee of Donie; son, Lew Alan Larson of Donie; grandsons, Randy Larson and wife Katie of Odem, Ricky Larson and wife Shana of Magnolia, and Hunter and Jessica Risken of Teague; granddaughter, Stacie Risken and Scotty Carlton of Buffalo; great granddaughters, Morgan Larson and Erin Casas of Odem, and Korree Risken and Jayden Yorgensen of Teague; sister and brother-in-law, Judy and Clyde Lindsey of California; sister, Karen Coleman of Fontana, CA; and brother, David Larson of Arizona.