Carl Richard Larson

Carl Richard Larson died Sept. 27, 2014. He was a private person who would assure you that his life story is none of your business. Nevertheless, let the record show he was born in Kansas City on May 23, 1949, to Dick and Earlene Larson. As a young man, he played piano for the Avondale Baptist Church. Carl attended North Kansas City High School where he sang with the Harmonaires choir and studied musical theater under the direction of Donna Lou Meloan. After learning all he cared to learn at UMKC, Carl moved to San Francisco in 1973, where his talent earned him a space in the music scene. His voice joined with Gail Wilson and Kent Ulrich to form the trio known as Swing, which became a popular club act, interpreting jazz and pop songs by such composers as Duke Ellington and Gene Pitney. In 1976, Swing moved to Los Angeles where it performed at the Playboy Club, and at a post-GrammyTM party. After Swing, Carl went to work as an editor at a law firm. Following the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989, he tossed his pets and belongings into his 1962 Studebaker Gran Turismo Hawk and rolled back to Kansas City. In Kansas City, Carl worked at Hallmark Cards Inc., then in 1999, he accepted an administrative position at Lathrop & Gage LLP. Carl and the firm grew to understand that his job should be recreated to suit his graphic art talents, and his title was changed to graphics production coordinator in the Technical Services department. Carl was an artist who combined his appreciation of vintage images, textiles and photography to create peculiar and surprising message cards for friends and family. His house was his gallery where he was an ardent reader, collector and talented gardener. He most enjoyed collecting Latin folk art. It would be impossible to overstate the importance of music in Carl’s life, as well as the importance of Carl in music’s life. He was a great talent, able to play any song by ear on the piano. He sang in the Kansas City Symphony Chorus and the Northland Community Choir, which has posted recent performances on YouTube. His taste in music included such diverse artists as Laura Nyro, Tom Waits, Talking Heads and LaBelle. As he often reminded everyone, his dogs were his true family. Over the years he was devoted to many beloved pets, most recently, canines Boudreaux, Birdie and Punch. When Carl had his fatal stroke at home alone, these three dogs somehow broke out of the fenced yard and sat in the middle of the street to stop traffic and successfully communicate that their human was in trouble. He is survived by his sisters Karlene Papen and Sherrie Ogron, nephews Jason McDaniels and Tyler and Dylan Ogron and great-nephew Gage McDaniels. He is also missed by his co-workers and many devoted friends, including Susan, Mary, Nancy, Gail, John David, Boudreaux, Birdie and Punch. The family is grateful to the staff of Lathrop & Gage for its grace and support.

Carl Richard Larson

May 23, 1949 - September 27, 2014