James M. "Jim" Larson

James (Jim) Merrill Larson of Idaho Falls, passed away in his home from natural causes, due to advanced age on January 27, 2022, at age 84, surrounded by his large, loving family, including his faithful companion, Carol Larson.

He was born February 1, 1937, in Roberts, Idaho, to Hans Frederick Larson and Clarice Calkins Larson.

Jimmy grew up in Idaho Falls as the second youngest of 6 siblings. As a boy, he loved scouting and the outdoors. At age 12, he discovered his passion for ham radios and electronics. He learned to build his own ham radios in his early teens, and became a licensed ham radio operator at age 16.  His passion for ham radios continued throughout his life.  He designed and built radios with the capability of communicating with people on the other side of the earth.

Jim received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1959 and a Master’s of Science degree in Electrical Engineering in 1969.  He met his beloved wife, Carol Jane Larch, at a dance in Los Angeles, and they were sealed in the Los Angeles Temple in 1963. Jim and Carol began their prolific family of 11 children whom he loved, and spent his life providing for them and advising them.

Jim loved his career and often spoke of his 27 years at the Argonne National Laboratory as a dream job that never felt like a job to him as it gave him much freedom to exercise his creativity and ingenuity.  His most notable professional achievements included nuclear instrument development at Argonne’s Zero Power Physics Reactor (ZPPR) from the facility’s start up until his retirement from the lab in 1995. In addition to his engineering career, Jim was an affiliate professor at the night campus for the University of Idaho at the Idaho Falls Center for Higher Education from 1969 until 1999. After retirement, Jim worked as a consultant instrument developer and donated his time to the Nuclear Engineering Department at Idaho State University nearly to the time of his death.

Jim enjoyed fly fishing, winning Pinewood Derby contests, the outdoors, and classical music. He was a beloved “bear” grandpa to his grandchildren and great grandchildren, a loved husband, a dear father-in-law, a dedicated friend and co-worker, and a cherished father of his 11 children who he instilled with values of hard work, humor, and problem solving. He loved his family, and he dedicated his life to their provision, council, laughter, and learning. He will be greatly missed by them all.

He is survived by his loving wife, Carol Jane; his sister, Hazel; and nine children, Deborah Killian (Scott), Michael Larson, Annette Roberts (Doug), David Larson (Tyralee), Amy Larson, Jennifer Dalley (Brandon), Rebecca Rhoades (Kevin), Jeffrey Larson (Kelsey), Brett Larson (Nicole); as well as his 27 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers Don, Keith, and Martin; his sister Lois; his son, Kurt; his daughter, Tammy; and his grandson, Jamison Liljenquist.

A public viewing will be held from 6:30-8 p.m. Friday, February 4, 2022, at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 S. Ammon Road, Ammon, Idaho.