LeRoy Larson

LeRoy Stockdale Larson was born on May 2, 1954 in Redwood City, CA to Marvin W. and Sara Nell Stockdale Larson.

In 1955 the family relocated to Arcadia, CA where LeRoy spent his childhood with his siblings playing Little League baseball, moto-cross racing his motorcycles, and nurturing his love affair with all things percussion. No matter where LeRoy went, his drum, his paradiddles, and ratamacues weren’t far away. The Arcadia Unified School District prepared him well for a career in music. LeRoy spent his adolescence playing music with his brother Larry, in any number of iterations of garage bands. Most Saturday nights in the late 60’s-early 70’s would find them playing at the Arcadia Recreation Department’s “Teen Night” at the Arcadia High School “Girl’s Gym.”  The Holly Avenue neighborhood nurtured his soul, and all his love and passions!

LeRoy also fostered a love of engines, and all things mechanical during his teens and early 20’s. There wasn’t an engine he couldn’t repair….machines captivated him. LeRoy earned an AA degree from Long Beach City College and an HVAC certification while continuing to drum in Orange County. He toured Europe playing music then returned home to begin a career as a supervisor in the maintenance department at Long Beach Transit from which he retired in 2019. 

By far, his most important musical collaboration was with his brother Larry and their groups, beginning in the 1970s with “Pecos” and continuing to this day with “The Alumni” comprised of early 1970s Arcadia High School graduates. LeRoy loved to surf, snow ski, and waterski and also loved boating. He particularly loved sharing those passions with others, especially the younger generation.  He enjoyed watching a sunset over the ocean to close out a beautiful day with family and friends in Carpinteria or other beaches anywhere in the world!

LeRoy was predeceased by his parents, Marvin and Sara Nell Larson. He is survived by his wife, Kim Harrison; his children, Tabitha and Troy and their mother, LeRoy’s former wife, Kim Bryant Larson; his brother, Larry; his sisters, Lydia and Laurie; his brother-in-law, Kevin McQuaid; his sister-in-law, Debbie Larson; and by Kim’s daughters, Cassie and Hayley Harrison. He is also survived by his nephews, Brendan (Camille), Jordan (Autumn), Jonathan and niece Emily. He is survived by his great nieces Faith and Reese, and great nephews Camden, Justin, and Kellan. He is also survived by 19 first cousins and an uncle (100 years old), and by friends too numerous to mention. 

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 17, 2023, at 3:00pm at the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration, 1881 S. First Ave in Arcadia, CA.   A reception will follow immediately in the church parish hall and gardens, with much music and fellowship, as LeRoy would want. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to support any clean ocean project of your choice.  

Rock on LeRoy, we love you and will miss you dearly!!