James Christian Larsen was born December 28, 1919 in Laramie, WY, to Nels and Hilma (Gabrielson) Larsen. The early years of life were on a ranch with his family. He attended rural school on the ranch then graduated from Laramie High. He graduated from the University of Wyoming with a B.S. in Agronomy. Interrupting his college attendance, he served 4 years in the Army and at the end of these years served in the U. S. Army Air Force as a medic. He participated in many rescues. He received a letter of commendation for his outstanding service as a member and the medic of the most difficult mountain climbing expedition ever attempted in Alaska, spanning 2 months on Mt. McKinley.
Jim married Mary Ellen Justman February 21, 1946, in Laramie and their family was blessed with 5 children: John Larsen, Rock Springs, WY, (Terri, deceased), Patricia Kocher (Charlie), Evanston, WY, Dr. James Larsen (Linda), Bozeman, MT, Dr. Jerry Larsen (Colleen), Casper, WY, and Jeanne Blalock (Clint), Sturgis, SD.
He worked for the USDA in the Soil Conservation Service in Pinedale, WY, Sundance WY, and then as the Resource Conservation and Development Project Coordinator in Rapid City from 1968 until he retired in 1980 spanning 40 years of service.
He was a founding member of the Black Hills Regional Food Bank and served years as Chairman. He served on the Urban Forestry Committee and Keep SD Green. He was the School Board President in Sundance, WY, and active in the Lions Club. He loved to ski, was a ski patrol and taught skiing at the U of WY. He loved hunting, fishing, camping, gardening, and was an amateur photographer. He loved spending time in the Black Hills and loved his family.
Jim, 93, Rapid City, died Saturday, July 6, 2013, at his residence.
He was preceded in death by his siblings, Marie Sims, David Larsen, Raymond Larsen, and Velma Brown. He is survived by his siblings, Janice Jacoby of CO, and Dorthy Buckland and Fern Van Waning of CA; his wife; his children; 14 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.
Memorials have been established to Hospice of the Northern Hills and the Black Hills Regional Food Bank.

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