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BORN
1929
DIED
2016
FUNERAL HOME
Melvin Larson Obituary
87, of Las Vegas passed away on November 1, 2016. Mel was well known for his market expertise as Executive Vice President of Circus Circus properties for 20 years. He was also known throughout the NASCAR community for racing in his early career days and was instrumental in the inception of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Mel was in the Air Force which sent him to Luke Air Force Base where he met the love of his life, Marilyn. He then owned and operated a drag strip in the Phoenix area before coming to Las Vegas and joining the Circus Circus team for Bill Bennett. Mel peacefully passed with his wife of 37 years, Marilyn, and family by his side. Mel was born in Plymouth, Michigan in 1929 to his parents Oleta Mae and Algot Larson, who have preceded him in passing. He is survived by his brother, Alvin Larson of Tempe, Arizona, his children Melinda Larson, Jenny DiPaulo, Steven Larson, Carol Osborne, Teresa Sussman and their children. He is also survived by Marilyn's sister, Joyce Adams and her daughters Michelle Leininger, Vicki Davis and their children. Mel was always very generous with his time, helping others with great advice and guidance. Mel will be missed by many. Memorial service will be held 12 noon, Saturday, December 3rd at Palm Eastern Mortuary, 7600 S Eastern Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89123. In lieu of flowers, the Larson Family is requesting donations in his honor to The Animal Foundation in Las Vegas.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Melvin Larson
Sponsored by Palm Eastern Mortuary & Cemetery.
Bo Boring
December 30, 2020
Mel would go out of his way to book us a room when we raced off road in Vegas. Super person and friend.
Phyllis Waldrop
September 18, 2017
Mel, In 1972, I met you, probably the most interesting man I had ever met-generous,flamboyuant,and handsome.The movie stars of today could have taken a lesson from you! The world needs more people like you.The word to sum up your personalitly is CHARM.....
Bill Bohannan
March 20, 2017
My condolences to the family and associates of Mel Larson.
In the early nineteen seventies I was stationed at Nellie AFB just North of Las Vegas. I had just returned from Vietnam. My folks lived south of Phoenix and my father was gravely I'll. I was Hitch hiking home to see him and Mr. Larson gave me a ride. When he found out what my circumstances were he made me an offer. Every week end that he was going to Phoenix he would give me a ride there and back. He left me his phone number and All I had to do was to check with him before I left town. Over the next year I was able to spend a lot of time with my dad because of Mr. Larsons kindness. I got out of the service and he actually took me home for the last time. I am sorry that I never returned to Vegas to visit this good man. I have never forgotten his kindness.
Mel and Marilyn Larson, a true love story. ❤
T. K. Crann
March 13, 2017
~ Mel and Marilyn Larson, knew many in the celebrity world. Here they are with Ruth Buzzi who is standing right of Mel and Marilyn.
T. K. Crann
March 13, 2017
April Boudreau
March 5, 2017
May there be comfort in knowing that someone so special will never be forgotten. Mel saved my life three times! The day he hired me at Circus Circus as his secretary in 1985! Three months later when I found out I had hodgkins lymphoma and then again one year later 1986 hodgkins returned. I am only alive today for Mel Larson's generosity and Mr. Bill Bennett's as well. I have survived breast cancer from 2002 and never dreamed I would still be here and he would beat me to heaven! Mel and Marilyn are the most wonderful people I have ever met! My husband Brian and our girls Heather and Stephanie and myself, April, thank you so much forever! We will miss you. Love, April Richardson/Boudreau and family
Chris Weishaupl
December 28, 2016
Sean Grady.."Himself "
December 4, 2016
December 3, 2016
Top O' The Mornin'.. To O' Great Guy..
Mel Larson
Sorry To Have Missed Being At Your
Memorial Service.. My "Spirit" Was With
You All.. Slainte w/Love!!
God Bless You Marilyn ..And "May The
Good Lord Take O' Liking To You..But
Not Too Soon."
December 3, 2016
Mel hired me in the marketing department at Circus Circus when I first moved to Vegas in 1980. He was always kind, and had a great sense of humor. He was a gentleman through and through. He was passionate about the casino and about his helicopters! Fly high, Mel. Thank you for my first job opportunity in Vegas too. It wasn't easy being a newbie in town. You took a chance and I hope I didn't let you down.
My condolences to your family along with my most sincere regards--
Christine McKellar Las Vegas, NV
Mel Larson., who supported Don Mosley in his re-election campaign for District Court Judge, me on my 50th Birthday. Mel, who loved living life. ❤
T. K. Crabb
December 2, 2016
Mel, who always supported his friends in celebration.
T. K. Crabb
December 2, 2016
The "heart" of Las Vegas, Marilyn Larson, who shared the love of her life, Mel Larson, with us. ❤
T. K. Crabb
December 2, 2016
Stu Stuart
December 2, 2016
My condolences to Mel's family. He was a class act. When I was a young Dir. of Communications for the Unlimited Hydroplane Racing Commission (URC) in Seattle in the late 80s I had to work with Mel regarding the Circus Circus sponsorship. Of all the people I dealt with, he always took my calls, or called back right away. I once commented on how much I appreciated this and he said that was one of the most important things in business. I always remembered this to this day. He also almost always used his speaker phone. He said he did this because most people didn't like being on speaker and would state their business and complete their call quicker. He was right. Godspeed, Mel.
Barbara Knipp
November 30, 2016
Aunt Marilyn we are so sorry for your loss. You and Uncle Mel were wonderful together. Uncle Nell will be missed greatly. We love you.
Captain Jack Snyder
November 29, 2016
Mel was instrumental in the development of my non profit racing program called Racers Against Impaired Driving. As a young Highway Patrol Sergeant I relished the opportunity to talk with Mel regarding the best way to approach sponsors for such an endeavor. I remember saying that I only wanted to gain some knowledge from one of the best.
After the meeting was over, Mel took me upstairs to his office at Circus Circus and introduced me to his marketing director. As he left the office he told his director "and anything this program needs, we will provide it!"
I was now sponsored by Circus Circus and other major sponsors followed suit. We became good friends with him and his wonderful wife Marilyn throughout my career. Mel came to my retirement party and put Ernie Borgnine on the phone to congratulate me. That's the kind of man he was, always helping other people with their dreams. Proud to be his friend, and will miss him forever.
D. Romans 15:33 Andrews
November 18, 2016
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
D. Psalms 90:9,10 Andrews
November 18, 2016
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Someone who cares
November 16, 2016
I am so sorry for the loss of your loved one. May you find comfort from the God of all comfort, because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:6-7).
November 14, 2016
Our deepest sympathy to Marilyn and the family for their loss. Mel was a great promoter of Circus-Circus and a great friend to evryone.
Gary & Jane Young
Dian Butler
November 13, 2016
My condolences.
Randy Ogorek
November 12, 2016
Blessings
Jeff Sellinger
November 10, 2016
I met Mr. Larson when I was working at the Bon Vivant restaurant (Gourmet room as they were known back then) at Circus Circus in the 1970s. I was a bus boy and my older brother Marvin was a waiter their as well. Jan Jurtic was the Maitre'D and Rich was the bartender. This was one of the coolest and best jobs I ever had, beautiful little restaurant tucked away on the second floor of the mid-way. Mr Larson would come in often and he always had so much class and very polite and distinguished. To this day Mr. Larson was the only person I ever saw who could float his cream on top of his cup of coffee PERFECTLY! Mr Larson never complained or caused any problems in the restaurant, not like the so called executives of today in the celebrity run-owned restaurants around town. Mr Larson was always a class act! Even when from time to time he and Mr. Bennett had a couple to many glasses of Hotinheimer white wine in them. It's funny how certain things stick in your head after all these years. Time flies by, don't forget to slow down and smell the rose's along the way every once in awhile!
Paul Priefert
November 8, 2016
Marilyn, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Mel was such a welcoming host for our LHS class reunions. We'll remember him fondly.
Anne Wilkerson
November 7, 2016
My husband (Billy Wilkerson) and I had the pleasure of having dinner with Marilyn and Mel, together with our mutual friends, Marvin and Penny Porter at the Circus Circus Hotel. How special it was when Mel gave me one of the Circus Circus Clown Pins. Marvin shared with us many of the great times he and Mel had racing....sadly Billy, Marvin, and now Mel have passed on....but I remember how gracious both Marilyn and Mel were to us at that special dinner. My condolences to Marilyn and the Larson family. Sincerely, Anne Wilkerson
November 7, 2016
Thoughts of sympathy are with you today. Numbers 6:24-26
Marence Pierce
November 6, 2016
Our sincere condolences to Mel's family. I met Mel in early 1975 at Circus Circus, he was my Mom's first cousin as his dad (uncle Algot) was a brother to my Grandma Blenda Raknerud. Having never met Mel before, my sister Nancy and I were treated great. I can remember only meeting uncle Algot the one time when he came up to Canada back in the 60's. My Mom, Marlene passed away on May 2nd of this year shortly after my Dad Terry Pierce passed away earlier this year on March 19th. My wife and I spend 6 weeks a year in Las Vegas and I looked to see if I could find a contact for Mel. I would like to stop in to give Marilyn a hug from Mel's Canadian relatives, when my wife Charlene and I are back down next January. If possible someone could contact myself at 306-861-1209 or by email [email protected]
Greg Ross
November 6, 2016
Heaven Has needed a Speedway for Years !
One thing that I admired about Mel was his Never say No attitude and his undeniable combination of Tenacity and his Super Quick wit with a smile that would light up a night race.
Remember, Rubbing is racing. I am a much better person for having known Mel and my Deepest condolences to Marilyn and Family.
With love,
Greg Shirley
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