James Larison

JAMES A. LARISON

Cedar Rapids

James A. Larison, 92, of Cedar Rapids, died Wednesday, June 14, 2017, at Linn Manor Care Center in Marion.

A funeral service celebrating James' life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 17, at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories with Cedar Memorial Celebrant Jim Parton officiating. Burial with military rites will be held in Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 16, at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories Stateroom, where a Masonic service will begin at 7 p.m.

Survivors include his children, Dennis (Julie) Larison of Elizabethtown, Pa., John (Shawnna) Larison of Marion, Karen Larison of West Branch, Douglas (Laura) Larison of Cedar Rapids and Kimberly Larison (Ryan Bettcher) of Des Moines; 11 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Betty, in 2015; sisters, Marjorie Larison and Dorothy Perry; and a brother, Duane (Tommy) Larison.

James was born June 6, 1925, in rural Taylor County, Iowa, the son of Elmer and Thena (Prather) Larison. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II as a radioman at Adm. Nimitz's Pacific Fleet Headquarters in Hawaii. On Aug. 14, 1946, he was married to Betty Lois Davidson in Maryville, Mo. Together, Betty and James farmed for 13 years in southwest Iowa before moving to Cedar Rapids. James worked at Collins Radio from 1960 to 1971 and then General Mills from 1971 to 1990.

James was a lifelong member of the Masonic Grand Lodge and Library. He also enjoyed bowling, golfing, woodworking, crossword puzzles, playing pool with his grandchildren and friend Dwayne, and card playing (pinochle and bridge). He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great- grandchildren.

Memorial donations may be given in his name to the Masonic Library in Cedar Rapids.

Online condolences may be left at www.cedarmemorial.com under "obituaries."