Donald Brian Larson

We mourn the loss of Donald Brian Larson (1943-2024), father, husband, mechanic, and inventor of inexhaustible imagination, who died on August 16th at his home in Tampa next to the light of his life, Judy, and their beloved pup. He was 81.

His death was announced by his children and wife of 24 years, Judy Alston Hill. A lifelong Floridan - Donald spent the majority of his childhood in Miami Beach. He attended the University of Florida for one year before moving to the Tampa area to continue his studies at USF. He has been a fixture in the wider Tampa community for more than 60 years.

His life was distinguished by a curious spirit, tireless creative energy, and a wry sense of humor. Animated by invention, architecture, and the magic of design, Donald saw the world as beautiful and strange and full of possibility. He conjured, engineered, and brought life to countless creations from the time he was a small boy through his later years. He loved the sea, restoring old things, helping people, telling stories, giving advice, and animals of all kinds. He jumped at any chance to help his children and friends rebuild their cars, homes, and more. He loved to roam car shows and the endless rows of dusty flea markets and rummage sales. He loved fishing, and sharing his depth of knowledge on the water - imparting that same appreciation to his children through fishing in the keys, snorkeling and scuba diving in the bay, and charter fishing on the Blue Chip II. He believed that doing your best is something to be proud of. He assumed the best in people, and gave them the opportunity to demonstrate it. He loved wordplay, cats, diners, key lime pie, sour fruity candy, and fried chicken. He loved taking the back roads and the small towns they bisect. He loved making pancakes, popcorn, hot dogs, and breakfast sausage when the mood struck. He loved dancing, antiques, and miniature schnauzers.

He wrote poems, children's stories, soliloquies, philosophical treatises, and endless jingles. He was an eclectic lover of art and music, equally moved by Verdi as by the echoes of the early soda shop hits that filled his youth. He was first and foremost an inventor, who held multiple patents throughout his life, including the world's first detachable Bimi T-Top. He was the largest builder of custom homes in Carrollwood during the early 1980s. He was a fantastic salesman, and for the duration of his life, continued to sell his ideas and field questions from boat owners around the world surrounding installation and maintenance of his ingenious design.

Donald Brian Larson was born January 30th, 1943 to Dorothy and James Parker Larson in Boston during a spouse visitation for U.S. servicemen. His father was in the Navy and his mother was a champion Bridge player who worked in hotels on Miami Beach. He lost both parents by the age of 13. Before being taken in by his grandmother in his late teens, he was supported by Ray Brown, who proved a formative mentor and lasting influence on his character. Ray instilled a lifelong admiration for self-reliance and the no-nonsense ingenuity of auto mechanics. Donald was a born fisherman and most at home on the water. Legend has it that he and his young 8 year old companions landed a 400 pound Goliath grouper spearfishing at the port of Miami, raising the fish to the surface using only inner tubes. He was the Junior Olympic breaststroke champion at age 13. During his formative years in Miami Beach, he worked from a young age as a cabana boy, lifeguard, and prodigious mechanic - specializing in Jaguars. His childhood among the Miami Modern architectural marvels of Morris Lapidus ignited a lifelong interest in architecture, and Donald nearly devoted his life to architectural design.

Donald was drafted during the Vietnam War and enlisted in the US Marine Corps. He trained as a sniper but was diverted from his first deployment by the abrupt end of the conflict. He and Graciela Silvia Lucero married in October of 1966. His son Danny was born in May of 1967, and his son Joey followed in September of 1969. Donald and Graciela later divorced. Donald married Judy Bruce in October of 1985, and their daughter Nicole was born two years later, in January of 1987. They divorced in 1994.

In 2000, Donald met the love of his life, Judy Alston Hill. Their relationship spanned the final three decades of Donald's life, and the depth and authenticity of their love for one another set a clear example to others in pursuit of the solidity and strength of meaningful partnership.

He is survived by his wife, Judy; daughter, Nicole; sons, Joey and Danny; his step children Tiffani, Britni, and Dustin; his 12 grandchildren; his first great grandchild; and many friends made far and wide. Donald was very loved, and will be missed beyond words.

There will be a celebration of life on September 29th, 2024 at the King Lake Fish Club in Wesley Chapel, FL, Time 11:30am -3:30pm