Obituary for Gary Eugene Larson PhD
Gary Eugene Larson, Ph.D., age 86, of Bethany, WV, passed away Sunday, Aug. 14, 2022, at Brightwood Center, Follansbee, WV.
Gary was born Aug. 10, 1936, in Jersey Shore, PA, to the late Hilding Sigfried Larson and Hazel Geraldine (Bierley) Larson.
He grew up in Colonie, New York, before attending the State University of New York, Albany, where he graduated with a bachelor’s in biology in 1958. He went on to earn his Ph.D. in botany from Rutgers University in 1964.
Gary worked as a biology professor at Bethany College for 39 ½ years, serving as chairman of the department from 1966 to 1978. He also spent two years in Africa with his family, serving in the Peace Corps in the Gambia from 1970-1971 and as a Fulbright Professor in Nigeria from 1977-1978.
Gary was a member of Bethany Memorial Church, where he served as church elder. He also was a lay preacher at numerous churches across the Ohio Valley. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Weirton, where he was elected president and district governor. He was a committed volunteer in his community, serving in the Bethany volunteer fire department, as mayor of Bethany, and the editor of The Bethany News, among other organizations. He was an avid woodworker and loved traveling the world with his family.
Gary is survived by his wife of 62 years, Vaughnda “Vonnie” (Shatrau) Larson; two children, David "Nils” (Kirsten), and Vicki Gardner (Paul); and four grandchildren. He is survived by two brothers, James (Carole) of Ottawa, IL and Wayne (Mary) of Albany, NY. Gary was preceded in death by his brother, Clyde.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, November 20, 2022 at Bethany Memorial Church, Bethany, WV, with Dan Harry, officiating.
Gifts to honor Gary’s memory may be made to Road Scholar, 11 Avenue de Lafayette, Boston, MA 02111-1746 (www.roadscholar.org) or Bethany Memorial Church, Main Street, Bethany, WV 26032.
Condolences, photos, and stories may be shared at www.chambersandjames.com, where Memorial Service will be broadcast.
TO WATCH WEBCAST CLICK hdezwebcast.com/show/gary-larson
Gary was born Aug. 10, 1936, in Jersey Shore, PA, to the late Hilding Sigfried Larson and Hazel Geraldine (Bierley) Larson.
He grew up in Colonie, New York, before attending the State University of New York, Albany, where he graduated with a bachelor’s in biology in 1958. He went on to earn his Ph.D. in botany from Rutgers University in 1964.
Gary worked as a biology professor at Bethany College for 39 ½ years, serving as chairman of the department from 1966 to 1978. He also spent two years in Africa with his family, serving in the Peace Corps in the Gambia from 1970-1971 and as a Fulbright Professor in Nigeria from 1977-1978.
Gary was a member of Bethany Memorial Church, where he served as church elder. He also was a lay preacher at numerous churches across the Ohio Valley. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Weirton, where he was elected president and district governor. He was a committed volunteer in his community, serving in the Bethany volunteer fire department, as mayor of Bethany, and the editor of The Bethany News, among other organizations. He was an avid woodworker and loved traveling the world with his family.
Gary is survived by his wife of 62 years, Vaughnda “Vonnie” (Shatrau) Larson; two children, David "Nils” (Kirsten), and Vicki Gardner (Paul); and four grandchildren. He is survived by two brothers, James (Carole) of Ottawa, IL and Wayne (Mary) of Albany, NY. Gary was preceded in death by his brother, Clyde.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, November 20, 2022 at Bethany Memorial Church, Bethany, WV, with Dan Harry, officiating.
Gifts to honor Gary’s memory may be made to Road Scholar, 11 Avenue de Lafayette, Boston, MA 02111-1746 (www.roadscholar.org) or Bethany Memorial Church, Main Street, Bethany, WV 26032.
Condolences, photos, and stories may be shared at www.chambersandjames.com, where Memorial Service will be broadcast.
TO WATCH WEBCAST CLICK hdezwebcast.com/show/gary-larson