Clark Palmer Larson

April 25, 1953 – March 27, 2025

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Clark Palmer Larson, 71, passed away peacefully at home in San Tan Valley, Arizona, on March 27, 2025, with family members at his side. He was a long-term survivor of pancreatic cancer, only to succumb to another battle with stomach cancer twenty-six years later.

He was born April 25, 1953, in Safford, Arizona, to Gwen Worden Larson and Orvil “Chuck” Larson.

Clark was raised in the small town of Thatcher, Arizona, where he grew up among family whose Pioneer ancestors helped create the irrigation system that still waters that beautiful valley today. Their influence left a legacy of faith, self-reliance and commitment that continued to influence the rest of his life.

His family moved from the idyllic rural life of Arizona to the big city of El Paso, Texas when he was seven years old. He used to laugh about the grocery store manager who yelled at him for nearly wearing out the amazing automatic door to the little neighborhood Lomart grocery store.

Clark attended schools in the area, graduating from Eastwood High School in 1971. Following graduation, he attended the University of Texas at El Paso.

After his freshman year, Clark served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for two years. He was called to serve in the Australia West Mission, headquartered in Adelaide, South Australia.

While serving in Australia he met and served with Sister Joan Peet, a sister missionary from Chicago. He was determined that upon his return home he would contact her to get to know her better, which he did. They were married in the Mesa Arizona Temple in July 1975.

His work as a newlywed began at Skaggs as a backroom stocker. After obtaining his Texas Real Estate License, he began working with his father in the new family business, Larson & Sons Real Estate. He, like his father, was a natural born salesman, and he enjoyed the thrill and opportunity of the Real Estate business. When interest rates skyrocketed in the late seventies and early eighties, he switched his talents to car sales. It was a feast or famine period of life for our family which finally led him to his true calling in life with the U.S. Border Patrol.

Clark began his training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia, in July 1986, Class #197.  He began his service at the Brown Field Station in Chula Vista, California. In 1989, he was selected to attend Canine Instructor training in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. From this foundation, in 1992 he was selected as the first staff instructor of the newly created U.S. Border Patrol National Canine Facility located in El Paso, Texas. This led to a long career within the United States Border Patrol Canine Program. In 1999 he became the Director of the U.S. Border Patrol Canine Program. After nearly twenty-five years, he retired as a Chief Patrol Agent from the U.S. Border Patrol in December of 2010. He often pondered how fortunate he was to be associated daily with one of God’s most wonderful creations, the dog.

He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in numerous callings throughout his life. He touched many lives including the young men of his ward as a Bishop. He influenced countless others while serving as a Counselor in the Stake Presidency, a Stake High Councilor, a Temple Worker in the Gilbert Arizona Temple and as a Nursery leader (a favorite teaching little boys how to throw fast balls). He and Joan served in the Utah Salt Lake City Headquarters Mission where Clark served as a counselor to President Warren G. Tate, and most recently they served as Senior missionaries in the Washington Everett Mission.

He was an avid Bass fisherman in his retirement and instilled that love in a few of his grandsons. His son Eric was a special fishing buddy and anybody else that he could entice on the lake.

Clark is survived by his wife Joan; two sons, Todd Larson of San Tan Valley, AZ, Eric (Andrea) Larson of San Tan Valley, AZ; two daughters, Emily (Ian) Orth of Austin, TX, and Roni (John) Chaffin of San Tan Valley, AZ; and twelve grandchildren; five brothers, Doug Larson (Perry) of Safford, AZ, Van Larson (Rhonda) of San Tan Valley, AZ, Don Larson (Peggy) of Marion, TX, Keith Larson (Joy) of Marion, TX, Rick Larson (Dalila) of El Paso, TX; two sisters, Debbie Cardon of Arlington, TX, and Alice (Mike) Goodman of San Tan Valley, AZ.

He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter Ashley.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at the Poston Butte Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 31844 N. Gantzel Rd. San Tan Valley, AZ 85142. The family will meet with friends and relatives from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at the San Tan Mountain View Funeral Home. 21809 S. Ellsworth Rd. Queen Creek, AZ 85142 and again at 9:00 a.m. prior to services at the Church.

Funeral honors will be rendered by the U.S. Border Patrol Honor Guard.

Interment will be in the San Tan Memorial Gardens at Schnepf Farms.