Arthur "Art" F. Larson's Obituary
Decatur Arthur “Art” Larson, 65, of Decatur, Illinois passed away on August 7, 2015 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.
Art was born October 30, 1949 in Peoria, Illinois to Arthur L. and Frances J. (Brown) Larson. He married Sandra Modglin on June 5, 1982 in Decatur, Illinois. Art attended Peoria Central High school. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1967 and served two tours of duty. He returned home and earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Speech Pathology/Audiology from Illinois State University. Art then re-enlisted in the U.S. Army and served until 1991, attaining the rank of captain. During his military career, Art was a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division, and a member of the U.S. Army Special Forces (Green Berets). He served two tours of combat duty in Vietnam where he earned several commendations, including a bronze star and also attended Flight Surgeons School. After retiring from the military, Art began a second career as a clinical audiologist in Fairbanks, Alaska. He practiced from 1991 until his retirement in 2012. Art had many patients and friends in Fairbanks area that he truly missed after moving back home to Illinois. Art enjoyed a wonderful life. He was an avid body-builder in his younger years. He competed in body-building contests across the United States. Art also loved boating, RV’ing, the Lake of the Ozarks, and the NFL. But, even though he had traveled the word, Art’s favorite moments in life were the quiet times spent with Sandy and their “Four-legged family members”, Dexter and Daisy.
Art is survived by his wife, Sandy; his children, Gloria Larson and Jeff Bolliger; one grandson, Kale Busher; two brothers, Tom (Judy) Larson and Tim (Cacinda) Larson; one sister, Cathy Kiley; aunt, Inette White; and brother-in-law Ron Mintler.
Art was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, sister-in-law Claudia Mintler, one daughter, Kristina Busher.
Art’s family would like to thank the doctors and hospital staff at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis for their kind and compassionate care during Art’s extended illness. Memorials may be directed to the organ transplant general support fund at the Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital, www.barnesjewish.org/giving.
Art’s request for cremation rites has been accorded. A graveside service with military honors will be held at Mount Gilead Cemetery in Decatur at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 26, 2015 with military honors.
The family of Arthur F. Larson is being served by the Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home, 2091 N. Oakland Ave. Decatur, IL. Please view the online obituary, send condolences, and share memories at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
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