Raymond C Larsen

LARSEN, DEPUE, BROWN

Posted By: Ruth Maring (email)
Date: 3/1/2005 at 09:16:50

Raymond C. Larsen

Raymond C. Larsen August 19, 1918 to May 6, 2004Raymond C. Larsen, a 65 year resident of Long Beach and its environs, passed away of congestive heart failure on May 6, 2004. Ray was born in Clinton, Iowa in 1918, and graduated from Lyons High School in that city. After a two year course at the Scoville Business College, he followed his parents to Long Beach, Iowa by the Sea, in search of a job. Like many others of his generation, growing up in Middle America during the depression caused him to "look West" in search of his future. Upon arriving in Long Beach, he found a job with Bekins Van & Storage in their new facility on Anaheim Street, wired his fiancee, Verna Mae Depue, in Clinton to join him and was married here in August, 1940. During the War he played such a key role in the US Navy's shipping program through the port that the Navy refused to let him be called for other service, and so he stayed in Long Beach and began a family. In 1946 he was appointed Manager of the Bekins facility and with growing responsibilities and a growing family bought a new home in Lakewood, America's first suburb. The following years saw Ray expand his community activities in Rotary and Kiwanis, the Lakewood Village Community Church, add to his family and pursue his active pastimes. Principle among these was racing quarter horses at Los Alamitos and the purchase of a 360 acre working cattle ranch in Hamilton, Montana, where Ray and his family spent many enjoyable vacations. In 1962, Ray purchased Rex L. Hodges, Inc., dba Hodges-Mayflower, one of Long Beach's oldest moving and storage companies, and continued to be active in its management until his death. Ray's wife, Verna, passed away in March 2003, but in spite of numberous health challenges, Ray continued stubbornly to live independently until the time of his death. He is survived by his three children, Gary of Lakewood, Dennis of Port Angeles, Washington, and Janice of San Diego; five grandchildren; and four great grandchildren, including Luke Brown, born the night Ray passed away. A memorial service was held at the Lakewood Village Community Church on May 8, 2004 followed by a private interment.
Published in the Long Beach Press-Telegram on 5/14/2004.