John "Jack" Warren Larson

Jack Larson

A Celebration of Life for Jack Larson, 73, was held Saturday, April 11, 2009, at 2 p.m., at the Niobrara County Fairgrounds in Lusk, Wyo. Pastor Matt Parker of Harrison, Neb. officiated.

Jack passed away in the presence of his family on April 7, 2009 at Davis Hospice Center, in Cheyenne, Wyoming. In 2001, he was diagnosed with cancer. He knew that he would have an uphill struggle, but he faced it with realism, courage, and a firm hope that he would be one of the fortunate ones. In the end, he was not.

John Warren Larson was born Dec. 3, 1935, in Lusk. Jack was the youngest son of Warren and Charlls Magoon Larson. He spent his early years in Niobrara County on the Magoon Ranch. The ranch was homesteaded in 1886 by his maternal grandparents. The Larson family also lived on the Fred Diltz Ranch near Douglas, Wyo. They returned to the family ranch in Lusk, where Jack attended country school during his grade school years. Jack graduated from Lusk High School in 1953.

He attended Chadron State College for one year and was then drafted into the U.S. Navy. He served in the military for two years. Jack returned to Wyoming and worked on the Duck Creek Ranch. He later worked on the Frank Parsons Ranch near Harrison, Neb. It was then that he met his future wife and best friend, Kathryn Buckley, of Harrison. Jack and Kathy were married June 5, 1960, in Harrison. They moved to the Magoon Ranch in 1961, and spent the next forty years ranching. Jack took over management of the ranching operation after the death of his uncle, Bill Magoon, in 1976. Jack and Kathy would have celebrated their 49th anniversary in June. Together they raised three daughters, Lori, Jo Dee, and Kristy.

Jack accomplished a lot of things in his life and wore a lot of different hats, but the one that fit him best was a cowboy hat. Jack was the quintessential cowboy at heart. He died as he lived. He fought with his spurs on, battling cancer with unrelentless determination. He was an excellent cattleman and horseman. Jack was known as a gentleman: polite and friendly. He was a wonderful role model for his daughters and grandchildren. He took pride in raising quality cattle and maintaining the land. His outlook on life was encompassed by a firm belief to live to the best of one's ability. "Whatever you are, be a good one."

Jack enjoyed rodeos and attending his kids' and grandkids' sporting activities. He spent a great deal of time reading. Jack is joyfully remembered for the endless love and commitment he displayed towards his family. His strength and character were demonstrated in his actions, words and deeds.

"Those who live no more and whom we loved, echo still within our thoughts, our words, our hearts. And what they did and who they were becomes a part of all that we are, forever." Our lives will never be the same without him, but he will live on forever in our hearts with great love. We will miss his love, guidance, and strength, but most of all we will miss his presence.

His family was very important to him. Those grateful to have shared his life are his wife Kathy, daughters, Lori Knaub of Cheyenne, Wyo., Jo Dee Woolington (Glen) of Burns, Wyo., and Kris Reed (Ray) of Broomfield, Colo. His love, spirit, passion, and enthusiasm, will be missed by his eight grandchildren: Drew and Sean Knaub; Adam, Alyssa and Landon Smith; Tyler, Spencer, and Parker Reeb. Jack was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Jo Ann Larson, and a brother, Jim Larson.

Honorary pallbearers were: Jim Kremers, Jim Kruse, Jim Shane, Jeff Reed, Jack Peterson, Jack Garner, Bob Blackmore, Doyle Davies, and Barbara Windom Costopoulos.

Cremation has taken place under the direction of Schrader Funeral Home in Cheyenne. Pier Funeral Home of Lusk assisted with the arrangements. Memorials may be sent to Lusk Senior Center or Davis Hospice Center, 6000 Sycamore Road, Cheyenne, WY 82009.

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