Through the years Gene Larson spent thousands of hours preserving historical images of this town, Miles City, his “little corner of the world.”
Larson was born in Salina, Kansas, to Lee Robert and Anna Gertrude (Lindgren) Larson, in the Dust Bowl days of 1935. During World War II he and his family lived back and forth twice between Kansas and Seattle, Washington. During the last time in Seattle he left in 1976 after 25 years there. Then, after living in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New Mexico, and Utah he found his way to Montana and settled in Miles City in 1985.
Few art classes were available through his regular school years and it wasn’t until 1982, twenty-seven years following high school graduation, that he earned an associate degree in Commercial Art from Utah Technical College in Salt Lake City.
Previously he worked for Boeing Airplane Company for eight years and then began his radio broadcasting career in Seattle, leading to eleven-plus years in that profession in various places.
His happiest years in radio occurred in Seattle while working for KAYO, a country music station. The station brought to town the super stars of the late 1960’s and mid 1970’s. Larson had free-run of the Seattle Opera house backstage, private busses, hotel rooms, and various live performance areas of the country stars. Among those he interviewed were: Dolly Parton, Marty Robbins, Loretta Lynn, Charley Pride, Hank Snow…… some forty of them. His most memorable interview was with his childhood hero, Roy Rogers.
In more recent years, he produced a four-CD set of interviews, each followed by a top recording hit by that particular artist. It was not saleable due to the expense it would cost to license the music played on the discs, so the set was passed around to interested friends for their entertainment.
Among other notables either interviewed or visited by Larson were: Duke Ellington, Sarah Vaughn, Billy Eckstein, Woody Herman, George Jessel, and “Lonesome” George Gobel. He also met Dan Rowan and Dick Martin from the early TV series “LAUGH-IN” and drew graphite pencil poster depicting the show which he presented to Rowan and Martin at Sea-Tac Airport near Seattle.
Also during his Seattle era, his artwork interests continued to show when he made a large poster depicting old radio programs done entirely with all colors of Paper-Mate felt tip pens. He gave permission to a local radio station to run 30,000 copies of it to distribute publicly and to use in advertising their nighttime old radio shows.
After arriving in Miles City, Larson finished a project he’d begun while in art school. Using wash and lamp black dry-brush technique, he completed illustrations for books on the life and times of “Fibber McGee and Molly,” a popular old-time radio show.
Larson first became public in Miles City when he won the “Miles City Centennial Logo” contest run by the Chamber of Commerce in 1987. In that same year his 22” x 30” graphic pencil poster “COWBOYS OF THE SILVER SCREEN” took first place at the 8th Eastern Montana Juried Art Show at the Custer County Art Center.
In the late 1980’s, as a result of his earlier association with Miles City’s Chamber of Commerce, he was commissioned to create illustrations for a calendar of historic structures and views of Miles City. This peaked his interest in preserving local history. Three more non-commissioned calendars followed, which helped in his survival, thanks to Dee and Alice Walden and their (former) Wool House Gallery. Each calendar was a “labor of love” since twelve illustrations had to be done in ten months to ensure the production of each calendar. Thereafter, he concentrated on producing historic prints for the public.
In 1997, he did artwork for “A NIGHT AT THE RADIO,” an old-time radio cassette subscription package sold nationally.
Then in 2007 he was given an “Honorary Cultural Ambassador of the City of Miles City” award presented by Mayor Joe Whalen, in association with other dear friends, as a complete surprise.
In 2011, after they took out half of his liver, his dear friend, Diona, asked if he shouldn’t start deciding what should be done with things that are precious to him. In question was all his recordings of interviews he did with the country music stars while a broadcaster in Seattle. During these interviews, Gene took on the persona of “Grandpa” and had some real fun with them. Low and behold, Diona got an email back from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum wanting his recordings for a display! He couldn’t believe it! So now the interviews are in their capable hands, keeping them safe where all can listen to them when they visit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
Gene wanted to be cremated and put in a Maxwell House, Good to the Last Drop coffee can. So an eBay search was done and the girls came up with a vintage one with an engraved top. A label will be added saying “Good to the Last DOT!” Dotman, Gene Larson, February 24, 1935 – July 23, 2014. Gene will be placed in the family plot at Rosehill Cemetary Plot B2 in South Haven, Sumner County, Kansas.
Larson became irritated when referred to as a “sketch artist.” SKETCHING is comprised of solid lines of various lengths and widths their amount and spacing to create the illusion of being photographic (and it takes hundreds of thousands of dots to produce an illustration). The dot method is known as STIPPLING, or officially, POINTILLISM, therefore he persevered to be called a POINTILLIST or an ILLUSTRATOR. Pointillism evolved through neo-colored dots (by brush) which the eye would “mix” into other colors nonexistent on the canvas. Nearly all of Larson’s work consisted of black ink on white paper, using a pen point about the size of a human hair and usually took hundreds of hours of work per illustration.
And Larson was always thankful and appreciative of all the people who offered support and encouragement in …. “MY LITTLE TOWN” ….. of Miles City, Montana.
Gene died Wednesday, July 23, 2014, in Hospice care at Holy Rosary Healthcare with Jules at his side.
Gene was preceded in death by his mother and father, a baby sister, and a brother, Michael.
Gene is survived by two brothers, Bob (Lee) Larson of Seattle, and Ronald Wayne Larson of Spokane, a step-sister Elena Tarbel, St. Petersburg, Florida, and an uncle, Ted Lindgren, Assaara, Kansas.
Gene is also leaving behind a wonderful group of caring friends that were there until the end including his best friend, Cartoonist Barry McWilliams, his ‘Dotta’ Diona Austill (Jerry), his ‘granddotta’ Jules Austill, his ‘sis’ Kaye Ailport (RJ), his ‘neice’ Mandy Kueffler (Jeremy), and his ‘Dotta’ Ronda Worlie (Dave), and many other wonderful friends who visited and comforted Gene in his final months.
Gene did not want a funeral. A celebration of Gene’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home to cover the expenses occurred for Gene’s final wishes.
Service Schedule
Celebration of Life
6:00 PM
Saturday August 16, 2014
Range Riders Museum
443 Business I-94 Main Street
Miles City, MT
Service Schedule
Celebration of Life
6:00 PM
Saturday August 16, 2014
Range Riders Museum
443 Business I-94 Main Street
Miles City, MT
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Rick Newby says
73’s good friend,73’s
Todd Larson says
Gene was a multi-talented gent, whom I called my friend. Countless hours that I have had visited with Gene via Amateur Radio, even though he and I were not related but I had so much respect for him I adopted him, unofficially of course. I am thankful that I saw Gene while he was in ICU at the Billings Clinic. I for one will miss Gene immensely, I am hoping I will see him someday again and I hope he will reserve a seat for me. God speed Gene! We were so blessed to have known him!
Kay Carlson says
Gene was one of a kind. A true gentleman. A man who appreciated every moment of his life, long before he knew he was ill. He told amazing stories which were even more amazing because they were true. His artwork has captured Miles City memories for those of us lucky enough to grow up there. He has left his mark on this world in so many ways. Thank you for letting me be one of your friends Gene. You touched my heart in so many ways. I can hear your voice now saying, oh now…..See you again one day my friend. 🙂
Wayde Carlson says
GOOD TO THE LAST DOT!
Shannon Holmen says
Not many people get to leave a legacy such as Gene. Such wonderful talent to be missed by all of Miles City. RIP my art-class buddy.
Chip Mintz says
73s old friend, rest in peace. SK.
I’ll miss the One Friendly Voice I could always count on chatting with as we’d pass Miles City.
The airways will be a little quieter and a lot less entertaining.
Warren Pierce K7UPS says
73s to the voice of miles city will miss his excellent voice on the ham radio
Lee Akers KK7US says
Gene, like most artists, struggled. He was well known, and his wonderful Pointillist views of Miles City have been seen all over the world. I predict, that like all great artists, he will become as well known as MC Escher, and other great graphic artists.
I first met Gene while he was still working at KAYO in Seattle. I was touring with Eddie Fukano, the Japanese Western artist. We stopped in at the station, and there was Gene. Very pleasant fellow.
After coming to Miles City, We reacquainted ourselves. He had dinner in our home many times, and Gene, KD7AFV was a good Amateur Radio operator, and an even better friend. Kathryn and I will miss him.
Tucker Bolton says
Artist Breakfasts on Saturdays with Gene and Marc Hartse, art openings at the water plant, frequent stops to show me what he was working on, planning the next 4th of July parade, just a few of the special things shared with me. He even made cartoons of my artwork and shared them with me. They are cherished possessions though not as precious as the memories of the moments that Gene shared his stories, kindness and gentle smile with me. RIP
Donna Leitholt-Taylor says
He was a wonderful person. He will be missed here, but Heaven is celebrating
Luke & Jessica Duray KF7HCM KF7KEC says
73’s Gene. We’ll miss the contacts while making many trips through Miles City. Thoughts and prayers for your family.
Casey Phalen says
I had the privilege of taking care of Gene. What a great person so grateful for everything you did. To the Family and Friends We are sorry for your loss. May God give you piece during these times. Casey & Cindy Phalen
Art Jacobsen says
On the occasions when I gave Gene a ride to Billings for appointments he was always in good spirits despite what he faced when we arrived. He would reminisce with stories about people whose paths he had crossed. Sometimes when I had to go to Billings for appointments he would ride along to keep me company and take my mind off other things.
Gene gave a lot to others and to the community and asked nothing in return.
A gentle soul with a generous heart.
J Johnson says
My sincere condolences to the family of Eugene L. Larson – It was never the Creator’s purpose for mankind to suffer (Romans 5:12). May God give you peace through his promise to comfort us (2 Corinthians 1:3, 4). We are promised a time when no one will say “I am sick” (Isaiah 33:24). Cherish all the happy memories and I hope that you are consoled by Bible assurances of a hopeful future (John 17:3).
J.J. Hemingway says
Wednesday night I wanted to make sure I had Gene’s phone # in my cell phone, so I did a google search to get it and my heartbroke when I read the news that Gene has passed away. I had personally known Gene since I was a little boy–growing up in Seattle. Gene and my dad–the late Jack Hemingway worked together in the world of radio and Gene would be a guest at my house dozens and dozens of times. I remember his Chevy Greenbriar van, his incredible gift of art and drawing pics. He was there for my mom and my brother and I when my dad passed away. What a great guy. He and I lost touch, and then about 9 years ago after doing search after search on line, I happened to come across Gene being in Miles City and I called him and we had a great mini-reunion over the phone, and then in the Spring of 2012 when I was on a job interview near Billings, I went ahead and made the trip to Miles City and spent many hours with Gene, and that’s a trip I repeated a number of times with my move to Bismarck from Spokane in July of 2012. Gene and I would spend time together during my visits talking about radio his memories of my family and just enjoying time together. He was pretty much the last connection that I had to my dad and mom and I really considered him family. I hope that if there is radio memorabilia that Gene has kept over the years and IF nobody wants it, I would love and cherish some of Gene’s radio material. He was a great guy, a good friend and definitely missed. I am moving back to Spokane from Bismarck today on the 31st, and I had plans on stopping in Miles City tonight and taking Gene out to dinner like I did everytime I stopped in Miles City for a visit. I’m so glad that he and I could reconnect and keep that special connection alive!! Miss you Gene!! You’re the best buddy!!! The one thing I get to keep forever are the wonderful memories of Gene Larson…a man I will never forget!!! 😎 JJ
Wanda Hollenbach says
I didn’t know Gene, but he had a little thing between himself and my mother-in-law. My mother-in-law met him years ago threw her late husband. They rekindle a relationship with each other threw the mail. He looked her up on the internet and found her. They sent letters and pictures back and forth. Gene had sent her pictures,calenders and signed pictures. I we were wondering if there is anything we can do with them. We don’t want to just throw them away. They are some pretty amazing, just the time and hours he spent on them. We don’t know if there is any value in them or not. But if he had any children or something. He also sent her poems that he had written for her. A book that someone had written. He sent her copies of his awards. They corresponded for quite some time. He also burned some CD for her. You can find me on Facebook and in messanger. Thanks my name is Wanda Hollenbach