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James Peter "Jim" Larson
1953 - 2025
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James Larson Obituary
December 13, 1953 - July 7, 2025
James "Jim" Peter Larson passed away Monday, July 7, 2025, at his home in Bloomington. A longtime Bloomington-Normal resident, he was 71.
Jim was born in Rockford and raised in Bloomington-Normal. The son of legendary Illinois Wesleyan University head football coach, Don "Swede" Larson, and the "First Lady" of IWU football, Mary E. "Betsy" Larson, Jim came from a long-standing tradition of hard work, excellence, and selfless leadership on and off the football field. Jim was known by many for his deep knowledge and appreciation of this history and tradition throughout his life.
A multi-athlete and oft-described "gym rat," Jim graduated from Normal Community High School in 1972. He went on to play football for the IWU Titans under his father, where he stood out as a talented student-athlete and member of the Phi Delta Gamma fraternity, ultimately graduating with a degree in journalism.
After briefly serving as a public educator in Danville, Jim went on to spend most of his career working in operations for a large insurance company, first at its office in Tempe, Arizona, and later in Duluth, Georgia, where he helped raise his two children and often served as a youth football coach before returning home to Bloomington-Normal. Jim continued to honor the rich history and tradition that marked his upbringing through his involvement with the Titan Football Legacy Group, which honored Jim's memory on Wednesday, July 9.
Jim is survived by his daughter, Haley (Phoenix, Arizona); son, Justin (Denver, Colorado); brother, Bill (Long Beach, California); sister, Mary (Aurora); and grandson, Mason (Phoenix, Arizona).
The family is grateful for the many kind words they have received in recent days, and also thanks the Titan Football Legacy Group for honoring Jim in a way that surely would have meant the world to him. Plans for a celebration of Jim's life will be developed in the following weeks.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home Bloomington Chapel1115 East Washington Street, Bloomington, IL 61701
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