Lars John Potter

Lars John Potter (Wold) passed away at Kaiser Hospital in Vallejo, Ca, October 27, 2010, due to complications from diabetes. He was born in Sacramento, Ca, December 6, 1931, to Lars J. and Marguerite (Kreigh) Wold. Marguerite later married Reid Potter and Lars and his brothers assumed their step-father's last name when they came to live at the Potter Ranch (now the di Rosa Preserve) as teenagers. Lars graduated from Napa High School in 1950. He enlisted in the US Navy and served from 1951-1955 during the Korean conflict, and was stationed at Alameda Naval Air Station and at Atsugi, Japan. After completing his military service he continued his education at Napa Valley College, Cal Poly SLO, and the University of Oregon. Lars worked at Kaiser Steel before he became involved in local politics (a life long interest). He was a member of the Napa City Council from 1963-1966 during which time he devoted himself full time to his council duties, to ending "Napathy," and to the creation of John F. Kennedy Memorial Park, one of his proudest accomplishments. After his council service Lars began a career in the insurance field. He worked for Allstate Insurance and the State Compensation Insurance Fund where he was recognized as top salesman in the state. He was an independent broker in Sonoma and Napa counties for more than thirty-five years, where he administered large group insurance programs for the building industry. Lars never forgot his experiences with animals on one of the County's largest dairy ranches, where he became a proficient midwife to dairy cows and an excellent judge of horses for the FFA. In later years he became an enthusiastic bidder in support of Napa's 4-H members and future farmers at the Napa Town and Country Fair's livestock auctions. Lars received an award from Napa Landmarks in 1991 for the restoration of his turn of the century Victorian home on First Street. After he retired Lars became a very active vegetable gardener. He took great pride in the many blue ribbons he won at the Napa Town and Country Fair for the vegetables he grew in his huge garden on Clay Street. Providing vegetables and free gardening advice to his neighbors, and sharing his garden with world travelers staying at the area's B & B's gave him immeasurable pleasure. Lars is survived by his wife of 53 years, Shirley (Stotts); six children and 16 grandchildren: Jack (Susan), Cathan, Sara, and Max, of Santa Rosa; Steve (Debbie), Damon, Josh, and Meagan, of Napa; Sherry Robinson (Bob), Rachael, Claire, and Robert, of Dallas, Tx; Kent (aka Rob) (Caroline), Katy, Ben, and Austin, of Napa; Brent (Patsy), Zachary, Spencer, and Samantha, of Napa; and Michael, of Napa and daughter Darian. Lars is also survived by his brothers Bill (Maureen) and John; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother George H. Wold. As a Norwegian, Lars embodied the Scandinavian passion for Mayonnaise. He spread it on everything; even the outside of a sandwich. A reception to share memories of Lars will be held at Kennedy Park's Robert Pelusi Building, 2296 Streblow Drive, Napa, CA, on Sunday, November 14, 2010, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Interment will be private. Assistance with end-of-life issues was ably provided by Treadway and Wigger Funeral Services. In lieu of flowers Lars would prefer that we all adopt the habit of performing acts of kindness toward one another.