Charles Tennis Larson
November 26, 1932 - January 26, 2022
&
Kimiko Larson
November 1, 1928 - August 13, 2010


Charles Tennis Larson, age 89, died in his home on January 26, 2022. He will be joined in a dual ceremony with Kimiko Larson, his wife of 56 years who preceded him in death on August 13, 2010. Charles was born on November 26, 1932 in Tacoma Washington; Kimiko was born on November 1, 1928 in Osaka, Japan. They met while he was in the United States Army and stationed in Japan towards the end of the Korean War. They were married on September 29, 1954 in Fukuoka, Japan. Within two years, Charles and Kimiko sailed to America to start their family and chase the American dream. They first landed in Pasadena, California where they had their first-born child. In 1958, they moved to Grants Pass, Oregon where Charles worked at a sawmill while Kimiko stayed home taking care of their growing family of four children. During those years, life was a struggle with the couple barely making ends meet. In search of a better life, in 1962, Charles and Kimiko loaded up their belongings and moved their family to California where they eventually settled in Redlands, California.

Charles and Kimiko were longtime residents of Redlands, California where they owned a 76-gas station off of Ford Street for 27 years. Charles was friendly, honest, and prided himself on customer satisfaction. Numerous customers wrote letters to Unocal to praise the excellent customer service they experienced at Chuck's 76 Union station. A Redlands Daily Facts article dated Thursday, September 13, 1984, titled, Larson: Being a good Christian talked about how he helped customers when their cars broke down by "making it an enlightening experience." One time, Charles let a woman and her 85-year-old cousin drive his family car to Pasadena while their car was being repaired at his station. Another time, five boys from Oregon were stranded in Redlands. Charles said, "I brought them home to camp in my backyard for 5 days while they waited for money from home for car repairs. This is the sort of thing I do all the time to help people." Charles was a man of his word, a good provider with a fun-loving nature who enjoyed a multitude of hobbies throughout his lifetime.

Kimiko was a dedicated and loving mother and housewife who loved children. She devoted some of her time to sharing her knowledge of Japanese tea ceremony, flower arrangement, Japanese culinary, and calligraphy to interested individuals. She was captured in a 1969 Redlands Daily Facts photo demonstrating the use of chopsticks to 4th grade students for an annual Japan Day celebration. She shared a passion for gardening with Charles as they cultivated Japanese gardens with Koi Fish ponds, soribashi bridges, and bonsai trees. She had a BA degree in History from Japan and instilled the importance of education into her children and grandchildren. She was a strong woman who broke hundreds of years of family tradition by cleaving to her husband and coming to America to achieve the American dream. She was cut off from her family tree that dated back to the Samurai bloodline and lost her portion of the family inheritance. She never returned to Japan. She wholeheartedly assimilated into American culture and celebrated the uniqueness of people and their way of life.

Charles and Kimiko were wonderful parents and grandparents, always willing to give the gift of care and loving concern to bring out the best in others. They believed in being true to yourself and to stand up for what is right. They shared a love for sports and supported their children in a myriad of activities such as Horse Show events, motocross, boxing, football, and baseball. As Charles and Kimiko were approaching their retirement years, for a season they were privileged to help raise some of their grandchildren which required a lot of hard work, self-sacrifice, and generosity. Charles and Kimiko lived long enough to see three generations of children with multiple layers of personalities, ages, and backgrounds develop into unique individuals as a result of their love and influence. They were a beautiful union of the blending of American and Japanese cultures and forever enriched the lives of those around them. Their heartwarming smiles and contagious love for life and people will truly be missed.


They leave to cherish their precious memory: daughter, Kim Holiness; sons, Larry Larson, Gene Senzo Larson; Grandchildren, Katrina Olenik, Misha Lewis, Mollie Finn, Charles Larson, Crystal Holiness, Isaiah Holiness, Amy Gatlin, Sarah Campianega, Ricky Gatlin, Danielle Munoz; a host of Great Grandchildren; son-in-law, Otis Ray Holiness; daughter in-laws: Lori Larson, Cindy Larson.
Charles Larson also leaves behind nieces, Lynn Larson, Alice Polkowitz, Tammy Henzel, Lori Midstsatre, Sherry Midtsatre; nephews, Jim Larson, Jay Larson, Eric Larson; brothers, Gus Sands, Dale Larson. He was preceded in death by his wife Kimiko Larson, son Kenneth Ray Larson; brothers, Richard Larson, Patrick Paquin, sisters Jerry Anne Larson, Shannon Beckham, Father Tennis Bray Larson and stepmother Ruth Larson, Mother Alice Martha Sands and step-father Bob Sands.
Kimiko Larson has one living brother Sentaro Miyaji and a host of family members in Japan. She was preceded in death by her son Kenneth Ray Larson, her sister Fudeko Miyaji, brother Senzo Miyaji; Mother Yonisan Miyaji, Father Senzo Miyaji.


A special acknowledgement from the family of Charles and Kimiko Larson to extend profound thanks and appreciation to each and every one of you who reached out in love, prayers, or any generosity of time, talent, or resources in loving memory of Charles and Kimiko Larson forever in our hearts and minds.

Pallbearers: Ricky Gatlin, Charles Larson, Isaiah Holiness, Noah Lewis
Ryan Larson, Elijah Lewis