Harry C. Larson

Harry C. Larson

Lexington, Kentucky

Harry C. Larson, 90, died in Lexington, Kentucky, on May 5, 2014. Services will be held at Ankeny Memorial Gardens at 3 p.m. on May 17, 2014.

Mr. Larson was born in Malcom, Iowa on August 7, 1923 to Christian F. Larson and Amanda Engelbart Larson. He grew up in Jewell, Iowa and graduated from the Jewell High School in 1941. He went to Iowa State University for the summer of 1941 and took a defense training program provided by the government to cover the first year's mechanical engineering curriculum in that summer by going to class from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. After finishing that course, he then used his training to get a job in California at Lockheed Aircraft. He was drafted into the U.S. Army Air Corps in January, 1943 and sent to various places in the U.S. for training. The crew was given a new plane to fly to Italy in August, 1944 and they flew to Pantanella, Italy. There he was the ball turret gunner on a B-24 bomber and flew 41 missions before being returned to the U.S. His return to the U.S. was by sea and he was at Gibraltar when the Germans surrendered.

After he returned to Jewell, Iowa, he enrolled at Iowa State University and received his bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1949. He then went to work for Eagle Iron Works in Des Moines, Iowa, and worked there until his retirement in 1987. He was in the engineering department while at EIW and designed 17 gears for sand and gravel washers prior to becoming chief engineer in 1969. He continued in that position until his retirement.

He was a trap shooter and pheasant hunter in his spare time and enjoyed golf as well.

He married Martha May Couch on January 11, 1948 and they had two daughters, Ann (Bill Sturm) Samani and Janet (Michael) Braun, both of Lexington, Kentucky. In September, 2010, he moved to Lexington, Kentucky.

He was predeceased by his wife, Martha Larson, his parents, his brothers, Olene, Vincent, James and Keith, and his son-in-law Fred Samani. He is survived by his daughters, his grandson David (Lisa) Samani, his granddaughter Jennifer Samani, and his sister Gloria Jacobson along with several nephews and nieces.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project, the Council of Indian Nations, VFW, Disabled American Veterans, or the charity of one's choice.