Jack Otto Larson

Jack Otto Larson, age 89 Born: 02/14/1936 Died: 10/08/2025 Born in Bellingham, WA Preceded in death by his mother, Evelyn Axelson-Green; father, Hjalmer S. (Jack) Larson; brother, Gerald (Jerry) Larson; infant daughter Ann and son Eric Larson. Survived by his daughter Kristin Newberry (David), grandchildren Lillian Nevitt (Richard), Elliott Craker, Tanner and Celia Larson, Brenin (Robyn) Newberry. Great grandchildren, Malachi, Kasen and Teagan Nevitt. Jackson, Sullivan, and Sebastian Newberry. In his early years, Jack attended southside schools as well as Normal School (WWU). He lived for a time at Birch Bay in the Triple J log cabin named after his father, brother, and himself. His mother would drive him to Bellingham to attend school while she ran their family business, the 21st Street Grocery Store. Jack attended Western State College (WWU) before enlisting in the Army. He served in the Air National Guard, Army and Army Reserves from 1957-1963. He was honorable discharged with a Good Conduct Honor. Jack felt very strongly about serving his country and believed everyone should serve a term out of high school. He didn’t use any financial benefits from the military because he said he could afford it on his own and didn’t want to take a benefit away from someone else who couldn’t. That was his philosophy. Help those who are unable help themselves. Reuse when you can and don’t waste. Upon returning from the military, he married Delores Gulan in 1961. They had two children Eric and Kristin. He worked at Friese Hide and Tallow during the day and gillnetted at night on his first boat the “Mary” and second boat “Kristin”. He spent many years in Alaska; Port Moeller, Sand Point and False Pass on several boats ending with the “Mary Louise”. He was considered a “high-liner” and almost always had a successful year. Jack loved fishing, not for the money, but for catching the fish. In the off-season, he ran a fishing net repair business and stored fishing gear for others. Jack was a cat of nine lives. He survived multiple bouts with cancer, sunk two fishing vessels in Alaska and open-heart surgery (for which he celebrated by going skydiving shortly after). He was a fisher, hunter and above all he was an avid golfer. He shot his first hole-in-one in his eighties. His longest and best friends were on the golf course. In the end, he was at peace because his affairs were in order. He knew all the grandchildren were in good places and he didn’t have to worry about them. He had a life well-lived and true to his Norwegian heritage, he was the captain of his own ship. The family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude for Whatcom Hospice staff and all the friends and neighbors who often dropped by over the years with some cookies or seafood. We can’t thank you enough. Graveside services, with full military honors, will be held on Wednesday, November 12 at Greenacres Memorial Park at 1:00 pm. An open house will be held at 3892 Griffith Ave. Bellingham from 2:00-4:00 pm. All friends and family are welcome.

Jack Otto Larson

February 14, 1936 - October 8, 2025