James I Larson

James Ilo Larson (Jim) passed away in his home in Meridian, Idaho on August 31, 2021 with his wife, Gayle, by his side. Jim was born on May 10, 1945 in Zanesville, Ohio. His parents, Ilo and Lorene Larson, had a small farm in Avondale Township where Jim began school. Jim’s father also worked for ‘JA Terteling of Boise’ at an open-pit coal mine in Ohio. When Jim was 9, the family was transferred by Terteling to Georgetown, Idaho. A year later they moved to Boise where Jim continued his education through Boise High School and graduated from Boise Junior College in 1966.
Jim was in the Navy Reserve, served in Viet Nam and was honorably discharged in 1964. Jim worked for the Idaho Transportation Department for more than 30 years, traveling statewide. He retired in 2000 as the Administrative Manager of Procurement and Materiel Management. He particularly enjoyed the “Toolbox Tours” when he could interact with the support staff in each of the Transportation Department’s Districts. When Jim’s children were young, he actively participated in a parent/child youth program offered through the YMCA which he enjoyed very much with his children. He also coached youth baseball, basketball and soccer, as well as being a collegiate football official. Jim was liked by everyone who met him. He could command an audience with his words and always had a story to tell. Jim gave many public speeches as part of his job, and always made his audience laugh.
After retirement he traveled with his best friend and wife, Gayle, to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and throughout the United States. He loved camping and going for long drives through the Idaho countryside and Pacific Northwest with Gayle. Some of their favorite road trips were to Longbeach and Seattle, WA, the Oregon Coast, Yellowstone National Park, the Grand Canyon, Death Valley, Mt. Shasta, Jasper National Forest, Banff and Lake Louise, Canada. Jim loved his family completely and unconditionally. He loved most of all sitting with Gayle in their special garden, just enjoying each other.
In addition to his wife, Gayle, Jim is survived by his children: Lori of Nampa, Eric Ilo of Melba, Tait (Mackenzie) of Boise, Seth of Portland, Victoria Ritchie of Boise, and April (Chris) Mayberry of Meridian; 10 grandchildren Alysha, Kyah, Tait Andrew, Quinton, Adam, Lauren, Henry, Evi, Georgia, and Bodhi (with an 11th on the way); one great-grandchild AltaMae, and “Spare-daughter Megan and her three young'uns,” Taeko, Fiona and CJ.
Special thanks to caregivers of St. Luke’s Hospice for their loving care and efforts they gave to Jim to make him as comfortable as possible during his final weeks.
Per Jim’s request, there will be no public memorial service.