It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Leonard (Len) Joseph Larson who passed peacefully in his sleep at noon on March 5, 2018 at the age of 75 years old.

Survived by his loving partner Ruth Bockhodt, his forever friend and mother of his children Kathleen Larson. his children Sherie Szekeres (Darcy Bara), Brent Larson, Brad Larson (Elisa Larson), his grandchildren Caitlin Larson, Bryan Larson, Angeline Szekeres, Madison Larson, Brandon Steele, Makayla Steele, Darshae Bara, Ayden Pentney, Sarah Quintero, Cassie Sorensen, Emily Pearson, and he often stepped into the father  role with his nieces Loree Boyd and Amber Larson.  Len was a loving uncle, great uncle, brother-in-law, cousin, good friend, adopted dad and grandpa to so many, too many to list here but you know who you are and the love that you shared.

Predeceased by his father Harry Larson, his mother Ann Larson, his sisters Marlene Anderson (Silversong) and Patricia Larson and his brother Ron Larson.

Len loved his family and told us and showed us every chance he got. He always said you won’t know how much I love you until you have your own children. His greatest joy was when we had our own children and felt our love for them so there left no doubt in our minds how much he loved us. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for us. He was always there.

Len always had a smile and conversation for anyone he met, sharing his warmth and compassion without regard for a person’s status or situation. A quote by the Dalai Lama comes to mind, “the quickest way to happiness here on earth is through compassion for others.” Len lived this virtue every day. After meeting Len you never forgot him no matter how much time passed or distance was between you.

Len drove truck for many years. His experiences on the road, away from home, inspired many of the songs he wrote. Len was a gifted musician, singer, songwriter, artist, along with the ability to fix or build anything. His talents and abilities were endless because he was always willing to try or learn something new. If he didn’t know how to do something he figured it out and didn’t stop until he did. He loved entertaining people with his music and his humour. He was able to engage even the shyest people and always made everyone feel like they belonged. He even made friends with and helped a wrong number once, someone who called him by mistake.

There is no possible way to capture all the unique and special things about Len here so if you were blessed enough to know him you will have more than enough memories to keep you going and if you didn’t know him ask anyone who did and they will never run out of stories about the loving, fun, compassionate, gifted person he was. Please help us honour him and carry on his legacy through your acts of kindness and compassion for others, with laughter and fun, through music and dance and with a fearless curiosity to learn new things.

Len lived an extraordinary life in an ordinary way!

Special thanks to all the caring staff in the Renal Clinic at Royal Inland Hospital. Memorial donations may be made to The Kidney Foundation of Canada BC & Yukon Branch Office #200 – 4940 Canada Way Burnaby, BC V5G 4K6.

There will be a memorial dance in Len’s honour with his Sunday night dance friends. Details will be made available at the dances.

A Celebration of Len’s life will take place in the spring at the Kamloops Funeral Home, 285 Fortune Dr., on Len’s birthday, Monday, May 28, 2018 at 1:00 pm with Pastor Vern Frudd officiating.