James Larson, a former Port Townsend resident (1977-1988) passed away on July 5 in his home in Anacortes, Washington. He is survived by his wife, Vicky Yanes, also a former Port Townsend resident; and his family, father Kevin F. Larson, of Anacortes; his mother, Pattie Ann Larson, of Cortez, Colorado; and a brother, Douglas, of Florence, South Carolina. Jim leaves many close friends in Port Townsend.
He attended Port Townsend High School, Class of '82, and promptly joined the U.S. Marines upon graduation, where he excelled, rising quickly to the rank of sergeant. It is suspected that his premature death was caused by exposure to deadly toxic chemicals in the groundwater at Camp LeJune, North Carolina, where he was stationed.
Upon his honorable discharge in 1986, he joined his family's housing construction business in Woodinville, and surrounding areas, before relocating to Mount Vernon in 1988, and finally to Anacortes. He established a business making custom dollhouses and miniatures for the serious dollhouse industry, and gained some renown in professional trade magazines, with customers in many countries.
Jim will be sorely missed, particularly his razor-sharp sense of humor. He is being gently cared for by Evans Funeral Home in Anacortes, and no final decisions have been made. Please do not send flowers.