Roger Glenn Larson

It is with great sadness we announce the death of Roger Glenn Larson, 78, a resident of Shelbyville, Tennessee, who died peacefully on September 23, 2025 after a hard fought two month battle with T-Cell Lymphoma/Leukemia.

Roger was born August 24,1947 to the late Glen and Clara Larson in Dickinson, North Dakota. After graduating from Dickinson State University, he joined the U.S. Navy as an officer and aviator flying the A-4 Skyhawk and F-9 Cougar. A photograph of him flying the A-4, soaring past Mount Rushmore in celebration our Nation's bicentennial captured his grace and spirit in flight. After his military service, he continued his love of flying as a commercial airline pilot with Braniff International Airlines (flying the DC-8 and 727) and Alaska Airlines (flying the 727, MD80 and 737). He was an active and valued member of ALPA until his retirement. Upon his retirement he continued to work as a 737 flight simulator instructor shaping a new generation of pilots until retiring (again) in June 2024. His sense of adventure was endless, he found pure happiness preforming aerobatics in his beloved Starduster.

Away from flying he found freedom in the outdoors. He loved fishing, hunting, and water-skiing across glass-calm lakes and snow skiing with his family.

Roger is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years June, son Thomas, daughter-in-law Heather, and their children Hunter and Sloane of Texas, daughter Kristin, son-in-law Greg, and their children Piper, Benjamin, and Harper of California. His siblings, James (Bonnie) of Florida, Dorothy (Steve) of Indiana, Beverly (Steve) of North Dakota, Shirley (Brad), and Susan of New Mexico.

Roger's humor, heart, and love of adventure will be dearly missed, but forever remembered by all who knew and loved him. A memorial service and internment will be held at Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Florida at a later date.

We would be honored if you chose to make a donation in Roger's memory to either of his favorite charities: St. Jude Children's Cancer Research or Tunnel To Towers Foundation.

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