Larry Edward Searson

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Larry Edward Searson on Saturday, November 2, 2024. Larry collapsed at home and was transported to the hospital, where he passed peacefully. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Karen, who passed away in March 2023. Karen was the center of Larry’s life for over 60 years, and his grief since her passing was profound. He is survived by his four children and four grandchildren, who were the pride and joy of his life.

Larry was born and raised in the hills of Prunedale, north of Salinas, on a small family farm with a modest white house that still stands there today. Life on the farm was challenging, and before catching the school bus,  he had to wake up before sunrise and milk the cows.  Alongside his 11 siblings, Larry learned early the value of hard work, self-reliance, and perseverance. These formative years instilled in him a hardy spirit and a strong heart, traits he carried throughout his life.  

He followed his elder brothers into the new family trade, bending and banging wrecked cars back into their former shape with new paint.  As his children entered the college years (a proud achievement for his humble roots), he knew he wanted to be his own boss.  And so with Karen, his wife and new boss, they bought a small franchised Orange Julius in the mall. This eventually led to a second store, a Dairy Queen.  Larry was always handy with tools and could fix anything that broke at the stores.  

He had a lifelong interest in family genealogy, and despite its haziness, he spent years researching its origins. One of his proudest discoveries came during a trip to Nebraska when, visiting a local graveyard, he found the gravestone of the original Searson from Denmark. Larry would often share tales of Viking exploits, claiming his ancestry with pride. However, DNA tests later revealed that Larry’s true heritage was primarily Scottish, and thus, Glenfiddich whiskey became his drink of choice.

Last June, despite his physical limitations, Larry made a pilgrimage to Scotland, a place he found as beautiful as the stories he had read. His visit to Edinburgh completed a long journey of searching, as he connected with his ancestral roots in a land he had come to love for its beauty.

May Larry rest in peace, surrounded by love and the tranquility he always sought. He now rests where no troubles beckon, in the company of those he loved, and in a place where the warmth of family and heritage will forever be dear to him.

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