CLEAR LAKE. IA —Paul Radcliffe Larson, 82, of Clear Lake, died Wednesday (May 6, 2009) at Hospice of North Iowa, leaving Barbara Larson, his wife of 45 years.

Born June 1, 1926, in Fargo, N.D., Larson received his education in Fargo, N.D., and Marshalltown, Iowa, where he graduated from high school, served in the United States Navy and following the war attended Iowa State University.

He began his career in Marshalltown, Iowa, starting a design/build business that focused on residential and commercial structures whose designs were considered ahead of the times.

Some of his projects included the Marshall County Mental Health Center, Wolf Eye Clinic, Lennox Industries Educational Auditorium, Boss Building, Hamilton-Goes Building and many Marshalltown homes.

Other business interests included design and operating restaurants in Marshalltown and Atlanta, Ga., partnership in Western Manufacturing and its subsidiaries. Paul was a member of Marshalltown Rotary and active in the Central Iowa Art Association.

Paul and Barbara made Clear Lake their retirement residence in the early ’80s where Paul had been active over 30 years as a member and past president of the Association For The Preservation of Clear Lake. Paul Larson leaves many samples of his promoting of Clear Lake with his sailboat design on the Clear Lake street markers, the Clear Lake welcome signs entering the city and even the waste receptacle enclosures.

Since moving to Clear Lake, Paul enjoyed rebuilding Model T’s, donating several completed cars for charitable fundraisers or outright gifts. He was a past president of Model T Ford Club International, Inc., and had completed another term on the board of directors in January, 2009.

In 1994 and 2006 he promoted and brought to Clear Lake the Model T International Summer Tour which brought some 900 vintage Model T’s to tour the North Iowa area. He will be remembered by many driving Santa in his white parade Model T for many years in both the 4th of July Parade and the Christmas By The Lake Parade.

Paul Larson was preceded in death by his parents, Nelly B. and Lloyd J. Larson; and a brother, Dr. Lloyd B. Larson, of Scottsdale, Ariz.

He is survived by his wife Barbara; and three children, Julie, Tom and Jim Crandall; Paul’s sister, Belle Miller, of Winfield, Iowa; brothers, Bill Larson of Fayetteville, Alaska and Jim Larson, of Clear Lake.

No memorial service is planned at this time.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Hospice of North Iowa.