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MY DAD.. Walter Larson, The man I love and respect!!
My dad then served in the Navy
during WWII. These were incredible years to be a part of this
significant time in history including D-Day at Normandy and the details of these years were etched in his memory.
He later would tell me over and over the experiences he had while he sailed across
the ocean during these Navy years.. After the War my dad heartbroken over the mistreatment of many of his brothers and sisters were now experiencing. He was lonely, drank too much, and was unhappy to the point of attempting suicide with a gunshot to his chest. The Turning Point.. The Lord protected my dad from this
attempted suicide, and shortly after this he was led
to know Jesus as his savior while still in the hospital recovering. Once grandchildren came along, he played the role of grandpa in his own unique manner with the ability to make up stories, and create adventures for his grand kids that they will always remember.
ALS: In August of 2000 my dad was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). Over the next year and one half this terrible disease tore down his once strong body. He lost his speech, the ability to eat except through a feeding tube, but his mind stayed clear and sharp. The amazing fact that I have come to realize after his death is that the Lord used this time to prepare Him for Heaven, and to deepen his faith. Christmas 2001, Was our last Christmas with my dad. We knew time was getting short, but we still wanted to make the time special. So we decided as a family to each share our favorite Christmas memories. We each shared special Christmas memories, of toys, or family get togethers.. Well the following letter is what my dad shared..
Making that final trip to Heaven... Monday February 25th, 2002, I received a call from his hospice nurse that the end was near. I was fortunate to make it home and be able to visit, and care for him during his last days. A very special memory of these last days was my mom at his bed side the evening before he died. Dad was bed-ridden struggling, gasping for air, and disoriented. My mom leaned over to him and said.. "You know I love you, and kissed him on the cheek.".. My dad turned to my mom focused on her eyes, and squeezed both hands, and touched her cheek. That was the last communication my dad made with any of us. Saturday March 2nd, at 11 a.m. CST at Cable Alliance Church in Cable Wisconsin was my dad's funeral. It was a time of rememberance, and honoring, and celebrating his life. We mourned, we cried, but we also laughed, and celebrated his life, and the start of his eternal life. His 79 years on this earth may seem to be a long time, and were filled with many highs and lows, but as a believer.. there is HEAVEN. Eternity with our God. You don't have to be a math genius to realize eternity is a 'little' longer than 79 years. I bring this in attempt to encourage those of you that have lost a loved one as an infant, young child, teenager, young adult, or maybe cut down in the prime of life at 100 years. Our lives may be filled with trials, temptations, failures, financial woes, illness, pain and suffering, and death, life is not fair... BUT.... this time on earth whether it is short or long, happy or sad.. is a drop in the bucket of eternity.
Thank you for taking time to read this tribute to my dad. To e-mail me your comments.. click here --> E-mail Me My Cartoon Memorial for my
Dad.. I know he wishes I would have been
a famous doctor
and dedicated a hospital wing in his honor.. but just his luck... HIS SON
IS A CARTOONIST!! May God bless and use each of you beyond your dreams.
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Difficult
Early Years: When my dad was only 6 years old his
mom died, and his dad during the difficult financial times of 1929 placed my dad along with his brothers and
sisters in a children's home. He lived there until age 17 when he was turned out on his
own with only $7 in his pocket. 
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