John Larson
John E. Larson, 71, of Cocoa, Fla., passed away unexpectedly on August 9, 2023. John was born in Withee on October 10, 1951, to James and Lillian Larson and grew up on a small dairy farm where his strong work ethic was formed. In 1969, he graduated from Owen-Withee High School after which he joined the Navy. During his service career, he attended Aviation Electronics School and had applied training in aircraft maintenance. He was honorably discharged in 1973.
While stationed at Quonset Point Naval Air Base in Rhode Island, he participated in a naval apprentice program at Razee Motorcycle Center where he formed a friendship with his future wife, Ruth Gobeille. They were married in June of 1974 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Withee and then settled in the Owen-Withee area. Being an avid outdoorsman – fishing and hunting, both gun and bow – John was very active in the early years of the Black River Sportsman’s Club and helped build the current clubhouse. During this time, John worked at Mundt Jeep and Marine, Stetsonville, where he became the service manager in addition to working as a mechanic. At this time, he also began attending Evinrude certification classes.
As a result of these classes he developed expertise and obtained certification for repairing Evinrude motors. In 1987, John and Ruth moved to Florida where he interviewed for a mechanic position at Evinrude dealerships in both Miami and Cocoa Beach. He ultimately took a position with Beach Marine in Cocoa Beach. After working there a couple of years, he formed a partnership with Maureen Stephens to create Beach Marine Service Center (BMSC), which provided sales and repair service for Evinrude motors in Port Canaveral and the surrounding area.
BMSC was initially located across from the Port Canaveral public boat landing and John quickly earned a reputation with charter fishing boat captains, weekend boaters and Coast Guard captains who had launched but then discovered that their boat motors wouldn’t run. Tool bag in hand, he would walk down to the launch area and work there to get the motors running and everyone out on the water. By continually participating in training programs, he obtained Evinrude’s highest possible certification, that of Master Technician. Furthermore, BMSC maintained Platinum Certification from BRP (who bought Johnson and Evinrude in 2001 from OMC) through 2020. More importantly, he found his Florida “family and friends,” who appreciated his honesty and his expertise.
Many have said that the service was not fast, but “knew the motor would work properly when I got it back!” Although he could usually be found at the “shop,” John also enjoyed playing tennis and mountain bike trail riding.
John is survived by his siblings: Mark (Judy) of Withee, Philip (Darlene) of Oelwein, Iowa, and Carol (Bob Palumbo) of Duluth, Minn.; nieces and nephews: Leah (Korey O’Brien), Stacy (Scott Fink), Tony (Stephanie), Bradley (Sarah), Daniel (Jennifer), as well as grand nieces and nephews, his Florida “family” and many friends.
John’s family will host a visitation at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Withee, on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, from 9:30-11 a.m. with a service by Rev. Phil Beukema following. Committal will take place at Riverside Cemetery, Withee, immediately thereafter. There will be a luncheon at the Black River Sportsman’s Club, Withee, following committal. Please come and share in John’s celebration of life.
The Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home of Abbotsford and Owen is assisting the family.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, memorial donations may be given to St. John’s Lutheran Church, Withee; Community Alliance Food Pantry, Withee; or the Community Involvement Program of the Florida Sport Fishing Association, East Central Florida: https://www.fsfaclub.org/page-18324.
Paid obituary 142736
