Ronald Larsen

Ronald Gene Larsen peacefully passed away on December 9, 2023, at his home in San Antonio, Texas.

Ron was born on February 12, 1936, to Lawrence and Florence (Mickles) Larsen in Grant, Nebraska. He was raised on the family farm north of Grant with his siblings: Lois, Lillian, Keith, and Larry. He attended Perkins County High School. A loyal Plainsman, Ron was active as a cheerleader and yearbook photographer. Many of the photos were of the yearbook editor, Kay Mather. He graduated in 1955. The Future Farmers of America awarded him two honorary degrees, first the State Farmer of Nebraska degree in 1955 and then the American Farmer degree in 1957.

Ron and Kay were married in Lamar in 1956. The newlyweds settled on a farm near Otis, Colorado. As the couple started their life together, they were soon blessed with three daughters: Rhonda, Pam, and Jacque. In 1962, the young family moved to Lakewood, Colorado. Two years later, Ron was filled with pride at the arrival of a son, Russell.

Ron had a high aptitude for technical subjects and found work in Data Processing for the early computer industry. He worked his way up through the corporate world with jobs at Midland Federal Savings & Loan, Mid-Continent Computer Services, Inc., Security Pacific Mortgage Corporation, Financial Data Systems, Inc., in Denver, Colorado. Modular Information Systems in Orlando, Florida, and United California Savings Bank in Santa Ana, California, before retiring to San Antonio. Ron and Kay's homes were always welcoming, and the guest room was always ready for visitors.

His love for photography remained strong throughout his life. Sunday afternoon drives to the mountains to capture the beauty of nature through the seasons, then down to the basement darkroom to develop the best one of the day. Ron was always busy with a project, maintaining and improving his home. He spent his vacations traveling to his children's homes to work on improvements for them, finishing basements, installing appliances, building walls, and landscaping. He got pleasure from making life better for his family.

Ron moved away from Nebraska and farming, but it never left his heart. Frequent trips to Grant to visit family and check on the farm. The long drive was punctuated by the children asking, "What's growing in that field?" He answered in seconds at 70 miles an hour. His love for Nebraska is evident in many of his computer passwords containing "Big Red" in some form.

Ron was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 65 years, Catherine (Kay) Mather Larsen; his daughter, Rhonda Larsen Ferguson; his parents, Lawrence and Florence Larsen; his siblings, Lois Jones, Lillian Jones, Keith Larsen, and Larry Larsen.

He is survived by his daughters, Pam Larsen and Jacque Larsen Goldsmith; his son, Russell Larsen and his wife Sarah; grandchildren, Stephanie Ferguson Pyke and her husband John, Aaron Ferguson and wife Hiroko; James Ferguson and his wife Maggie, Adrienne Ferguson Kanan and her husband Walid, Winston Goldsmith, Elizabeth Larsen, Peter Larsen, and great-grandchildren, Kai Ferguson, Aila Ferguson, Logan, Kanan, Luke Kanan, Millie Ferguson, and Theo Ferguson.

In honor of Ron, consider a gift to Future Farmers of America or the San Antonio Humane Society. Condolences may be shared at bullocklongfuneralhome.com.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, January 7, 2024, at 1:00 PM at the Bullock-Long Funeral Home in Grant. Burial will be in the Grant Fairview Cemetery.

Bullock-Long Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.