Published in The Daily News on 6/8/2004. Harvey Leroy Larson 1914 - 2004 Harvey Leroy Larson, 89, died on May 29, 2004 at home in Rosburg. Harvey was born on December 1, 1914 in Astoria, Oregon to Peter Larson and Clara Svenson Larson and was the second of four sons. He grew up on a small dairy farm in Rosburg and lived his entire life in the same town. Harvey completed his 8th grade education at Riverside School in Rosburg, WA. Even though Harvey didn't have a formal high school or college education, he was quick to figure things out and could accomplish anything he set out to do. He was a very hard worker, starting out at a young age working as a logger, becoming capable in all logging positions, including as a faller for Tidewater Logging. He worked producing powdered milk at the Lower Columbia Dairy Association (LCDA) creamery in Grays River, WA; owned and operated his own milk truck, hauling full milk cans from several local farms to LCDA; gillnetted on the Columbia River briefly; ran a log loader for Jim Lindros Logging, then owned and operated his own log truck, hauling for several local loggers, last hauling for Crown Z, when he retired. He was also a part owner in the Rosburg Store for several years. Harvey was a member of both the Long Beach Elks and Tall Elks. He had been active in projects for the Rosburg Community Club, including fund raising to establish a perpetual maintenance fund for the Rosburg Cemetery. He gave a piano in memory of Gladys Larson and Katie Larson to both the Rosburg Community Hall and the Grays River Methodist Church. Throughout Harvey's life, he was always connected to boats in some way...he had owned several small yachts in which he enjoyed taking friends sport fishing and for boat rides. He was also an avid clam digger. During the late 1940's, he built a Monk design wooden gillnet boat, the Claire L., in his garage - which later won the gillnet boat race 3 times in the Astoria Regatta. In later years he collected and carved several wooden "working type" decoys, and during his last year of life he carved two beautiful white swan decoys. Mr.. Larson took great pride in his yard and flowering trees, always making sure they were perfectly groomed. He was interested in all sports, which he enjoyed on TV, and he read "every word in the newspapers" daily! He had a clear memory and could relate facts in great detail about the early days of the area...often times including great stories about those he had worked with and known, including quotes, using accurate voice imitations! Harvey was preceded in death by his first wife, Gladys, in 1968; his second wife, Katie, in 1986; his parents; three brothers, Delwin, Sidney and Vernon Larson, and his grandson, Daniel L. Stephan in October, 2003. He is survived by his sons, Terry Larson and Tracy Larson, both of Rosburg, WA; daughter and son-in-law, Clair and Daniel J. Stephan (Altoona) of Rosburg, WA; granddaughters, Bonni Morgan or Tualatin, OR, Marlee Burch or Naselle, WA and Lara Walker of Portland, OR; 2 great- grandsons; 4 great-granddaughters; 2 step-daughters, Gayanne Bicandi and Judy Holteen, both of Vancouver, WA; 4 step-granddaughters; 2 step- grandsons, 13 step-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. There will be no service per Mr. Larson's request. Memorial contributions may be made to the Rosburg Community Club or Grays River Methodist Church, c/o Penttila's Chapel by the Sea, PO Box 417, Long Beach, WA 98631. (As compiled by the Wahkiakum County Historical Society 2007.)