Harold King Larson
July 12, 1941 ~ December 23, 2019
Harold King Larson, West Fargo ND, passed away on December 23rd, 2019. Harold was born on July 12th, 1941 to Harold and Marian Larson in Staten Island, New York. His parents died when he was 10 years old, and he and his sisters were put on a train bound to Kloten, ND. He graduated from Kloten High School in 1959. He joined the Navy for two years and served as a hospital corpsman.
Harold married Janice in 1962 and they had two children, Georgia and H.K. In the following years, Harold got his Bachelor of Science at Mayville State, his Masters and Specialist degrees at NDSU, and his PHD at UND. He worked as an educator and administrator for 40 years. He was awarded Superintendent of the Year by MASA in the early 80’s. Harold’s final job, and arguably his favorite, was as Superintendent of Standing Rock Community Schools. During his time there, he was honored with a Naming Ceremony and presented with a Star Quilt. Harold loved the people of Standing Rock, and this tribute was special to him. The name they bestowed means “He who thinks like the People”.
Harold was confronted with many obstacles in life, all of which he cheerfully overcame. He was, by all measures, a happy and successful man. The things that brought him happiness were many, including but not limited to: His wife, his children, a cold beer on a hot day, a fine steak cooked medium rare, outdoor music festivals, sitting on a beach by the ocean, Bob Dylan, a pen that wrote in a fine script, a spirited political discussion and a raucous dinner on the town with his wife and kids. Harold also had a little gamble in him that came out when in Vegas playing video poker, and he experienced enough success to make him sure he would win enough to cover his losses, which he usually did. He was unfailingly supportive of his children in all of their endeavors, and loved being an integral part of their lives. Harold also enjoyed travel. He was proud of his Irish heritage, and was able to visit Ireland twice with his family. Dublin was his kind of town. Harold and Jan traveled to Mazatlán, Mexico for 20 plus years, and in that time, he learned the name of every beach vendor, bartender and maître d’ in the city. He also took several trips with his son, attending football games, baseball games and boxing matches. As a family, we went to Vegas countless times. We have a treasure trove of memories and hilarious stories in which he is the star. He loved people, was interested in all of them, and wanted to know their story. His family was occasionally annoyed as they waited for him to finish conversations with random strangers in elevators, on street corners and pretty much everywhere else.
Among his survivors are his wife, Janice, daughter, Georgia, and son H.K. We love him and will miss him for the rest of our days.
In keeping with Harold’s wishes, there will be no services. We ask that any memorials be directed to the Bismarck State College Foundation – Harold King Larson Scholarship Fund.
“When he shall die,
Take him and cut him out in little stars,
And he will make the face of heaven so fine
That all the world will be in love with night
And pay no worship to the garish sun.”
Shakespeare
“Enjoy every sandwich”
Warren Zevon
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Remembered him well, when the family lived in halstad, mn.
Larson family,
We loved Harold. He was a regular in our senior men’s league at Osgood golf course. A kind and always cheerful guy, we will miss him.
Sending thoughts of love and peace.
Lisa and the staff at Osgood golf course
Harold was my first principal when I started teaching in Halstad, MN, in 1971. He helped me so much, both personally and professionally. I will never forget his “burned toast” speech at my first faculty meeting. He said, “When you get up in the morning with a burned toast kind of attitude, you have to put aside whatever negative things you have happening in your personal life because those kids in school deserve your best shot every day”. I never forgot that and I used that story many times in my 39 years in public education. He is the reason I became an administrator. Thank you, Mr. Larson, I tried to live up to your expectations and I owe you so much. John Rokke
Deepest condolences to Jan, Georgia, and HK.
Harold was a man of integrity and working beside him during Halstad Migrant School Days was a total joy. All of the DeLaCruz’s really respected and adored him and his humor.
May he rest in peace, may your family continue to cherish his memory.
Prayers to all.
Our hearts are sad…we have so many memories of all the Larson family. We are coming back to ND for Mark’s 50th and had hoped to see all of you. Please know we feel your loss…much love from John & Sharon.
Very sorry to hear the news of Harold’s passing. I always respected him as a man of authority. As a leader he led with kindness and dignity for others. I admired his family and I will always honor the name of Harold King Larson. God rest your soul Mr. Larson and God bless your family.
He was an important mentor for me in High School! He always had time to “chat”! And at that time in my life, it was very important to explore every available option that was open to me! I cherish the time we discussed the problems in the world and navigated college options!
I am quite sure his spirit guided many young people to find their own way in their lives!!!
Go in peace my friend and guide the spirits along the way! We will miss you! Heidi Viker CHristianson 😘
Harold was my first administrator at the Halstad Migrant School. He set the bar high. I thoroughly enjoyed working for him and with him. He allowed me to do so many innovative tasks to best serve the kids. You could tell he loved the kids and they loved and respected him. One of my biggest educational regrets was not being able to follow him as a principal to Glyndon. He was a unique individual that cared!!! Rick Houske
So glad we reconnected over dinner years later in Mazatlan and had an evening of laughter and reminiscing about family, friends, and Halstad.
Good memories of him and his family. My condolences to his family.
Halstad memories will always include Harold Larson, our senior year principal in 1971. A mentor in every way outside the classroom, encouraging learning activities outside the norm, and opening doors of opportunity along the way. Only 30 at the time, he was wise beyond his years The man knew how to build a legacy, and the wisdom he shared is something we all must play forward. God Bless his memory. (Clay Hage, Moreno Valley CA)
What a wonderful and fulfilling life that Harold lived. This is perhaps the most interesting obituary that I have ever read. I remember when Harold and his siblings came from Staten Island to live in Kloten with Ludwig and Elma Larson.
In the early 1960s H. King Larson and I worked as orderlies at St. John’s Hospital. Lots of fun we had. I always wondered what became of this clever guy, sorry we never reconnected. I’m now glad to know he went on to an eventful, accomplished, and fulfilling life. I’m sorry for your loss.
“Mr. Larson” was my high school principal in Glyndon. He always had a smile on his face and a little bit of mischief in his eyes. I ran into him a few times through the years. He knew who I was and asked about my life. He was a good man. My sincere sympathies to Harold’s family.
Sorry to hear of Harold’s passing. I was Harold’s secretary when he was Principal at Glyndon/Felton High School. He was a great Principal and a wonderful person to work with. My thoughts and prayers go out to his entire family.
Janice and family, My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time.
I am sorry to hear of Harold’s passing. I was principal at Laporte when he was superintendent. It was a great year and everybody at Laporte hoped he would stay for many years but, he had other plans. Since our time together at Laporte we often found time to golf and to explore great restaurants and craft tap rooms. It was always an enjoyable time. I regret not being able to golf with him the last couple of years. I will miss him greatly but, will always remember the good times. Rest peacefully dear friend.
I am saddened to hear of Harold’s death. Harold Larson had a keen interest in developing quality educational programs which also included framing educational legislative activities and programs for the State of Minnesota. A man with many interests, who had limitless energy, required only a few hours of sleep and packed a lot into 78 years of his life. It is now time for Harold to rest in peace. I was happy to know him as a colleague and friend. Condolences to Jan and his family. Don Vellenga
Harold was one of the excellent administrators I was fortunate enough to have worked with in my thirty-three years in public education. My condolences to the family,
He was a man with a very big heart for our children on Standing Rock he will live forever in our hearts…..
Jackie and I are very sad to hear of Harold’s passing. We worked with Harold at Standing Rock. What a great man and leader. He was very firm but also very fair and supportive. He had a great sense of humor. I have been a high school Principal for 20 years and he was by far the best Superintendent I ever worked for. We are truly sorry for your loss, rest easy Dr. Larson.
I was sad to hear of Harold’s death. I was the high school secretary when Harold was the superintendent at Glyndon Felton Schools. He was a wonderful person to work with. He was very knowledgeable in so many areas. He shared that knowledge and helped me out many times. He was a man with a great sense of humor. Then there were those fishing trips with him, Janice and other GF employees…some good memories. My thoughts and prayers are with Janice and her family.
Rest in Peace Mr. Larson.
Larson family, we were sadden when we learned of Harold’s passing. He will be missed by so many, such an intelligent, witty, thoughtful thinker, he truly made one feel their thoughts were important. Michael has many great memories working at DGF with Harold. We enjoyed being neighbors, and fishing excursions. He, was one of the great ones, who made a difference in lives of many. Our deepest condolences to your family.
Harold gave me my start in education in 1978, a career that lasted 39 years. I couldn’t have had a better mentor. He opened doors faster than I could enter, where everything was possible. He set the tone and direction for not only my career but also my life. A career based on building programs and making a difference. Harold was outside the box long before that term was even thought of. He has always been in my thoughts no matter what position or duties I have been involved with. And he will continue to be with me no matter what I next undertake. Harold Larson you still make me smile and want to do something great. Thank You!
He was a great guy, always asking how I was doing, especially how my law-suit was coming along. He was always seeking my advice on how to golf better. Surprisingly, upon such advice his swing did improve. He had a way of drawing you in by making you comfortable as he shared his stories and sought my console on personal matters. I just felt close to him. A really lovable person. I’ve missed him! What a blessing he was!