Reverend Alfred Joseph Larson Reverend

Alfred Joseph Larson entered this world in New York City on September 16, 1928, by an Italian immigrant mother and a Norwegian U.S Navy father, bundled with Christian love. Al lived a long life as God's servant, departing at the age of 95 on July 28, 2024.

It was a tough time for his parents to begin a new family, in a new land during a depression, so they settled down in a city where they already had some family members established, Schenectady, N.Y. They, like most people in those days were poor, and finding work meant moving to other states. In Reverend Larson's younger years, they moved between Schenectady, N.Y., and Minneapolis, MN.  Those were hard times. They moved an entire family of two parents, five children, one cat, and their entire household in one old sedan,1500 miles.

Reverend Larson spent most of his childhood in Schenectady and his early teen years in Minneapolis. Adolf Hitler was creating problems in Europe at the same time the reverend was just trying to adjust to a new high school in Minneapolis. The problem was that, at that time, New York schools were scholastically ahead of Minneapolis schools, and Al was restless, for he had just come from New York.  Looking older than he was, he enlisted in the Minnesota National Guard at 13.

It wasn't long before WWIl started.  Men were drafted and eager to enlist.  Those too young but who looked older lied about their ages. Al was too young for full service, so he joined the Merchant Marines and was able to be in the Battle of the Philippines in 1944, earning his first Campaign Ribbon at the age of 16.  He finished serving until the end of WWIl in the US Navy. It wasn't long before he was called back to serve in the Navy again for the Korean War.

He was very upset with the war again, but he didn't know what beautiful surprise God had planned for him. Very early God had him meet and marry a very beautiful, angelic woman who took all the anger and sourness out of his life. Barbara went to work getting Al educated, first with a full Bachelor's degree in Animal Husbandry and Agricultural Engineering from the University of Florida.  Some years later, she assisted him in receiving a Master's Degree in Theology.

For many years in Florida, he became a surveyor, cattle grader, rancher, and agricultural news reporter until an actual angel called Reverend Al into service. That meant going to seminary for a Master's Degree in Theology at Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta. For the next 40 years, he served as a pastor of United Methodist Churches, as a teacher, and authored a book, "It Seems I Passed You Somewhere Today," copies of which are in the church library of Jasper United Methodist Church.

Al handwrote his own obituary as a final act of love for his family.

Reverend Al Larson, 95, of Jasper, Georgia, passed peacefully after a brief hospital stay. He was a proud Navy veteran of both World War II and the Korean War.  "Parson Larson" was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend, minister, counselor, author, and champion for equality and civil rights. He was preceded in death by his beautiful wife of 65 years, Barbara, and favorite daughter Toni Marie. He is survived by his sons, Phillip and Brett (Elizabeth), "adopted" daughters Bonnie Burgamy and Sara Voyles, "adopted" son Slim Cotner, son-in-law, Chauncey Waters (D.J.), grandson Cory Dey (Kat), granddaughter Sydney DeRoia, brother Don, and many loved nieces, nephews, and extended family members. Please keep his family in your prayers. Plans for his memorial are still being finalized.

The family would like to note that the second printing of Parson Larson's autobiography is underway.  At this time, it is in the hands of a publishing company and should be ready for purchase before the end of this year. If you would like a copy, you can email his niece, Carrie at carrie.mn.girl@outlook.com


Cagle Funeral Home proudly serving Rev. Al Larson and family.