Paul Hollister Larson, 66

"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain… I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far…" (Philippians 1:21, 23) Those words from the Apostle Paul were immediately on the lips of Paul H. Larson when he was informed just last week that his death was imminent as his body was being ravaged by diabetes.

Paul, loving husband to two precious wives, father to seven, grandfather to twenty-three, and loyal friend to countless down-and-out sojourners on earth was born on June 17, 1941 in Kalispell. He died at his home in the Many Lakes area on November 17, 2007.

Empathetic, compassionate, integrity and "A family man" are words that were often used to describe Paul. He loved to make dreams come true for those less fortunate than he- especially for children, puppies and "strays" of all kinds. Known as "a man of the Word", he was always available and even eager to discuss passages from the Bible and how they applied to everyday life in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Helen Larson; his first wife, Hulda Larson; his son Jon Gunnar Larson; and his granddaughter, Anna Kristin Larson. He is survived at the family home by his wife, Mary Larson; and his sons, daughters and their spouses as follows: Erik and Barbara Larson of Alabama; Erik and Louey Charette of Washington state; Martin and Jody Davis of Washington state; Dwain and Nova Lakey of Oregon; Chris and Cary Krager of Kalispell; John and Stephanie Krager of Kalispell; and Darrell and Julie Green of Oregon. He is also survived by his 22 grandchildren and by his three brothers- L. Peter and Donna Larson of Kalispell; Jon Larson of California; and Kurt and Carol Larson of Kalispell.

Funeral services were held at the Bigfork Chapel Assembly of God Church on November 20th, 2007. For those desiring to make memorial gifts, the family suggests two of Paul's favorite charities: The Samaritan House, 124 W 9th Ave, Kalispell MT 59901 or the Community Kitchen/Feed the Flathead, P.O. Box 3166, Kalispell, MT 59901.