Matthew Matt Eugene Larson

Matthew Eugene Larson was born 12/18/1955 in Corona California to Gordon and Rita Larson. He was the oldest of 5 children, raised in Southern California with his 3 brothers (Nathan, Eric & Dan) and 1 sister (Jennifer). Growing up, he developed a love for building model aircraft and flying radio control airplanes. He loved the ocean and sailing his parents' 27-foot Morgan sailboat with his brother Nathan, where he skippered and won various races before he was 18 years old. In high school, he attended King of Kings Lutheran Church, became a youth leader at age 16, and met his lifelong sweetheart and wife, Linda, while both were volunteering in children's ministry. He graduated from Saddleback High School in 1974, where he played Varsity basketball. In 1975, Matt joined the US Coast Guard, where he became Top of Class for inflight operation of communications, navigation and ground maintenance of avionics for C130 Hercules and HH3FP Pelican. In 1976, by formal request, he extended his service and volunteered to serve in the Coast Guard National Honor Guard for 1 year. There he met his friend Steve Weeks, who was foundational in his commitment to live his life for Jesus. Matt and Linda were married in 1977 prior to his new duty assignment to the US Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater Florida at the St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport where he served as radioman and managed communications and navigation hardware for search and rescue missions on the C130s. In 1980, he received Honorable Discharge, Classified SECRET, where he returned to California with his wife and daughter Heather, born in 1978. Now a civilian, Matt continued his career in communications with Pacific Bell over the next 14 years as a service technician and account manager. While working and raising a new family, he completed his AA degree from Fullerton Junior College. During this time, his second daughter, Hannah was born in 1981 and his third daughter Sarah in 1983. In 1995, Matt ventured into the world of entrepreneurship as he became the owner/ founder of Advanced Data Services, providing a variety of technical and communication services. Years later, he was invited to join Campus Crusade for Christ at their Arrowhead Springs Resort as Information Services Manager where he managed their telephone and computer department. Matt had a heart for non-profit Christian organizations, their work for the Kingdom of Heaven and during his time at Arrowhead Springs, became very close with the retired volunteers that came yearly to help with the facility maintenance. Don and Betty Donovan were some of Matt's closest friends. In 2001 he started his second company, Larson Communications, where he specialized in helping small businesses managing their telephone, security and computer system needs. The Mission Statement was: "To provide reliable, knowledgeable and courteous services to our customers in a Christ-like manner", and Matt did that well. He was known by many for his warm smile, encouraging word and was always seeking an opportunity to pray with anyone who would let him. He loved the Lord deeply, sought Him daily and longed to see Jesus face to face, whenever God planned to call him home. He encouraged everyone he met, had a great love for his family and friends, and shared his love for Jesus at every opportunity the Lord provided. He enjoyed spending quiet time with the Lord and was open to share all the Lord was teaching him at every opportunity. He lived his faith by always being willing to help anyone in need. Matt loved his wife of 43 years, Linda; his 3 daughters: Heather, Hannah, and Sarah; his grandchildren: Christina, Matthew, Ana, Luke, Aspen, Clara and Daisy; his sons-in-law Joe, Michael and Daniel; and his brother and sister in law, Ngoy and Linda. He continued sharing his love for building and flying radio-controlled planes, camping, fishing (which didn't always include "catching"), teaching car maintenance to his Granddaughter and Grandsons Christina, Matthew and Luke. Matt was always on the lookout for a new project to do with the grandkids, whether it be building a rolling BB gun arcade in his garage (that was pictured on Google Maps for years) or building a working model engine. He longed with such urgency to leave a "legacy" for his grandchildren and had plans to continue teaching them life lessons of knowledge and skills they would be able to continue to use in their lifetime, always pointing them to Jesus. One of the greatest privileges in life he mentioned was creating a unique, loving relationship with each one of his grandchildren and seeing every one of them come to their own faith in the Lord over the years. He will be loved and missed by his wife, family, and friends…until we meet again face to face in the presence of our Savior. And if Matt had anything to remind us of today, he would say, "It is well."