Randy Mark Larson
LARSON, ANDERSON, RAYBURN
Posted By: Sarah Fletcher (email)
Date: 7/24/2023 at 09:34:33
On July 15, 2023, Randy Mark Larson, a devoted son, loving and forgiving brother, well known community figure, having never met anyone he couldn’t turn into a friend, passed away after a lengthy battle with the long-term effects of aggressive cancer treatment.
Now that you have the pertinent information, Randy would be the first person to tell you to go hit the links. Play a round of golf or hone your skills at the driving range. He always deflected when someone tried to sing his praises. For the rest of us, lacking the golf enthusiast’s gene, just sitting around the clubhouse, and sharing exaggerated stories, here’s a real one.
Randy lived a life full of knowledge, skill, variety, loyalty, and love, but very little sleep. He was too busy for that.
Born in Ames, Iowa he excelled in academics and graduated from Ames High School in 1973, Iowa State University with his BS in 1978, and University of Iowa with his Juris Doctorate in law in 1982. He was admitted into the Iowa Bar in January of 1983. He then served as Co-Founder, Managing Partner, and President of the Johnston, Larson, Potterfield, Zimmerman & Nathanson Law Firm from 1983-1993. He served as Councilman for Iowa City from 1987-1993. He went on to be the Founder and Owner of the Larson & Evenson Law Firm from 1993-2022 when health issues took priority.
Aside from his achievement in the court room he held a passion for the hard-court playing basketball in high school as well as in college for ISU and the University of Iowa. He continued to play AAU basketball for 23 years. He also played professionally in LaVoulte-Sur-Rhone, France. He often remarked that basketball is the only team sport where you can practice each skill individually.
He worked as a color commentator with the legendary Jim Zabel for the Palmer Radio Network during the 80’s and 90’s. Perhaps he was most passionate about serving as commissioner of the Prime Time League (PTL) since 1987 and the off shoot of Game Time League for women, modeled after PTL. The leagues were for professional, college, and high school players providing a structured environment for the development of individuals in a team-oriented style and bringing quality play to smaller farming communities across the state that might not otherwise have the experience of watching this caliber of play.
Larson also served as an assistant coach at Iowa City West High School, head coach of Highland High School, and most recently as head coach of Regina Catholic High School. As a coach he respected and heralded his players, often serving as a mentor for sports and life. His mantra for both was that “a fist is so much stronger than a finger,” emphasizing unselfish play and team mentality. Larson continued with this philosophy in his businesses and with his employees.
He purchased The Airliner restaurant in partnership in 1992 making it an institution at the university. He then purchased independently Bob’s Your Uncle, a pizza café in 2001, and Penn Way Park Softball Complex in 2004. Perhaps his most successful establishment is Monica’s Italian restaurant, having won many “best of” awards in multiple categories. Monica’s Restaurant is named after the irreplaceable and indispensable manager of the restaurant. He valued hard work and friendships and let them know. Monica herself has said that Randy “would convey his gratitude with overwhelming emotions and his pride was communicated in how hard he worked and how often he was there.” Monica’s is still open today, no doubt in tribute to Larson.
Similarly, and very telling of Larson’s priorities is that Bob’s Your Uncle, which is an Australian expression meaning no worries, everything will be alright because Bob’s your uncle—was named in honor of his childhood friend Chuck Harmison, who played professional basketball in Australia.
Larson’s success in all his endeavors is likely the culmination of his impeccable work ethic and his voracious love of reading. His dedication and perseverance can be traced back to his summers as a kid working for his Uncle Dan (Danny Joe) Holtkamp at the Maid-Rite in Newton, Iowa. All these years later Larson was proud to serve his uncle and all other family members at Monica’s. No one left hungry or paid a bill.
When he wasn’t planning defenses, scheduling wait staff, scheduling games, rotating rosters, playing in the Noon league, (Did I not mention that yet?) or playing a round of golf at various courses around the world, he always had a book--or Kindle-- in his hand.
His home library was shelved from floor to ceiling with stacks rooted like stumps in a forest into nearly every other room. The lineage from tree to paper to stacks not ignored. He devoured books. He was devoted to stories, to life. So, if we haven’t, while reading this, already lost you to the golf course, then consider picking up a book and get lost in another story or plan a dinner out—at Monica’s of course—and toast to Randy.
Larson was preceded in death by his father, Keith. He is survived by his mother Laverna formerly of Ames and currently of Iowa City, his siblings Cindy (Frank) Anderson of Brevard, North Carolina, Alan Larson of Iowa City, and Jan (Ralph) Rayburn of Miami Shores, Florida. He is also survived by his mentor, Dan Holtkamp formerly of Newton, Iowa and currently of Leawood, Kansas and countless other longtime friends and employees especially Coach Tom Davis, Sal Hnesh, Pat McCool, Monica Meyer-Wali, Diane Norden, and J. Pat White all of Iowa City. Love and blessings to them for supporting Randy and his endeavors for many years. To the legions of others, he called friend, may you live everyday with the same Lust for Life that Randy did. Yes, that was an Iggy Pop reference. I should mention Randy worked through his college years at a record shop and had an eclectic taste in music of nearly all genres and an extraordinary stack of wax that only rivaled his book collection.
He was one of a kind.
Visitation is scheduled for Sunday July 23rd from 3 to 6 p.m. at Lensing Funeral Home, 605 Kirkwood Ave., Iowa City. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Monday July 24th at St. Mary Catholic Church, 228 E. Jefferson St., Iowa City.
Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service
Johnson Obituaries maintained by Cindy Booth Maher.
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