Nov. 29, 1943 — Sept. 5, 2018

Lou Larson was born to Walter E. and Hazel I. Larson in Augusta, Georgia, on Nov. 29, 1943. When Lou was 2 years old the family moved west to make their permanent home in Beaverton, Oregon. Lou attended both grade school and high school in Beaverton.

Following his high school graduation, Lou attended and then earned his undergraduate degree from Portland State University, where he was also a proud member of Kappa Sigma fraternity. After completing his studies at Portland State, he obtained his doctorate of juris prudence from Willamette University.

Always a person who valued public service, Lou began his law career as a Vista Volunteer, serving the underprivileged in Portland, Oregon. He also served as Washington County counsel.

In August of 1968, Lou married Mary Ann Joyce. In 1975, Lou and Mary Ann moved to Astoria, Oregon, so Lou could serve as counsel for Clatsop County, and in 1978 he entered into private practice with D. Richard Fischer. The partnership, known as “Larson and Fischer,” became a highly successful and prominent law firm valued by the entire community for the next 30 years.

Lou always gave freely of his time and talents to family, friends and many community organizations, all of which were near and dear to his heart. These included the Columbia River Maritime Museum, where he served as their legal counsel pro bono for over 30 years, and as a member of the executive board, finally retiring as trustee emeritus.

Lou’s gifts of service included such organizations as the Astoria Music Festival, The Friends of Fort Clatsop, Boy Scouts of America and Sea Scouts (awarded the Silver Beaver) and Clatsop Care. Lou was an active member of Astoria Rotary, and served as president from 1985 to 1986, and he was proud to be a Paul Harris Fellow. His other affiliations included the Oregon State Bar Association, Astoria Yacht Club, Cathlamet Yacht Club and the U.S. Power Squadron.

If Lou wasn’t at his office or attending meetings or just plain volunteering in virtually all community events and projects, you could find this lifelong mariner out on his boat, cruising and exploring his beloved Columbia River. Lou was a very accomplished blue water sailor, racer and recreational cruiser, as he loved the waters of the great Pacific Northwest.

In later years, Lou enjoyed exploring and observing the wonders of the Southwest as true snowbirds with his wife and best friend, Mary Ann. And, for the past 10 years, Lou became a major fan of the University of Oregon football team … Go Ducks! Lou also had a lifetime love of classical music.

Lou was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by Mary Ann, his wife and soul mate of 50 years. Lou is also survived by his extended family, which includes his brother, Ken, and wife, Marla Larson, of North Pole, Alaska; his sister, Pat Risdall, of Franklin, North Carolina; brothers-in-law, Mike, and wife, Janet Joyce, John, and wife, Patty Joyce, both of Portland, Oregon, and Tom, and wife, Linda Joyce, of Redmond, Oregon; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Lou will be greatly missed by all of us who were fortunate to benefit from his consistent generosity, and by all of us who enjoyed the great pleasure of his warm smile and everlasting friendship. Lou simply touched a huge number of people throughout his remarkable life, and his many good and true friends will never forget him. And so, too, for Sammy, his trusting and loyal Dachshund/Papillon dog.

Donations in Lou’s memory can be made to the Clatsop County Animal Shelter, Clatsop County Historical Society and the North Coast Symphonic Band.