James O. Larson

James O. Larson, 77 years of age, of Gause passed away Sept. 5, 2015.
A Memorial Service will be held Sept. 19, at 2 p.m. at Peace Lutheran Church in Rockdale. Pastor Ed Truelson will be leading a celebration of the life and music of James. Recordings of his students’ performances in Bryan, Wellington, and Dulles High School will be heard.
A private graveside service will be held at the Clifton, Texas cemetery at a later time.
James was born to Arnel and Opal Larson in a farmhouse outside Clifton, Texas on Oct. 30, 1937. He graduated from Clifton High School and continued his education at John Tarleton Agriculture College in Stephenville, North Texas State University in Denton  and received his Bachelor of Music Education Degree at Midwestern University in Wichita Falls. He went on to earn a Master of Education Degree while attending West Texas State University in Canyon, Texas and Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. He also earned his Supervisory Certification at Sam Houston.
He married Doyce Neal Larson, Friday Oct. 13, 1959 in Ardmore, Oklahoma and was married for 56 years.
James was a diligent worker. While in High School, he was as he described, “a soda jerk” at the Clifton Corner Drug Store. He also worked as a service station attendant while in High School and College. He worked as a farm hand and drove wheat combines on summer harvest from Oklahoma to the Canadian border while attending Tarleton College.
He was very proud to have earned the rank of Eagle Scout while he was in High School. He was also awarded membership in the “Order of the Arrow. As an adult he helped organize and served as Scoutmaster for a troop in Snyder, Oklahoma.
James teaching career spanned 35 years, teaching in all levels of schools from Junior High to the College level. He served as a Band Director in the Era, Muenster, Valley View, Snyder, Oklahoma, Wellington, Fort Bend (John Foster Dulles High School), Wharton, College Station and Bryan school districts. James also taught 3 years at Tarleton State University. After retirement, James continued teaching part time at Allen Academy in Bryan and in Gause.
Between his teaching years at Wharton and College Station, he owned a music and appliance business for nine years in Brenham known as Navratil’s Music Store.
James was an accomplished music educator. His bands won numerous First Divisions in Marching, Concert and Sight-reading as well as gaining Sweepstakes recognition at UIL Competitions.
His Wellington Band was awarded the Outstanding Award at the Six Flags over Texas Competition and was a Region Honor Band. In Wellington, the Jazz Band won its classification at the Doc Severinson National Stage Band Contest in Pampa. His Wharton Band won the Outstanding Award at the Six Flags in Arlington over Mid-America Competition in Saint Louis, Missouri. His students were awarded many individual awards for top ratings at Regional and State Solo and Ensemble Contest, All- Region and All-State competitions.
When he had a time to relax, James enjoyed working in his yard. He loved landscaping, gardening, trimming and mowing. He also enjoyed fishing.
Although, he never attended the University of Arkansas, James was an avid Razorback fan and would give a “Woo pig sooie”, whenever it was needed.
James had membership in the Texas Music Educators Association and the Texas Bandmasters Association and was involved in his church, the Texas Retired Teachers Association and served as an officer in the Milam County Retired Teachers. He was named to “Who’s who in American Education” three times and when he was a student at Tarleton College, he was a member of “Lords and Commoners.”
James was preceded in death by his father, Arnel Larson, stepfather, Otto Schrader, mother, Opal Schrader, brothers Charles Larson and Robert (Bob) Schrader, and a daughter, D’Aun Tucker.
He is survived by his wife, Doyce, sons, Jamie and wife Susan, son Terry Larson and wife Tracy, son Mark, eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren. He also leaves a brother Arnel and wife Carolyn Larson of Waco and a sister, Karen Sadler and husband Jerry of Clifton. He also leaves many nieces and nephews.
James also leaves the many students that made music under his years of teaching. The music was his tool to help mold lives of his young students. In his final days he was asked, “what do you hope you have left.” His answer was:
“I hope that I have taught my students about what life expects of them.”
The Larson family would like to thank Standards Hospice and the wonderful Nurse angels that helped so gracefully and beautifully.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to:
Abiding Savior Lutheran Church 806 E. 12th St., Cameron, Texas 76520
Or the Texas Retired Teachers Foundation 313 E. 12th Street, Suite 200, Austin, Texas 78701
Arrangements are under the direction of Green-Patterson Funeral Home in Cameron. Condolences for the family may be sent at www.green-pattersonfuneralhome.com