Hal Larson

HAROLD A. LARSON was born in Detroit, Michigan on October 8, 1936 to Myrtle and Louis Larson. They were members of the Covenant Church of Detroit. He has a brother Bruce Larson who resides in the Chicago area.

Hal’s mother Myrtle was diagnosed with cancer. Hal remembers he knelt at her bedside and accepted Jesus as his savior at the age of 7. That commitment was for a life time. His first job was at 8 candling eggs for the family business. His treat was to help his dad deliver eggs to waiting customers. Soon he added a morning paper route and an after school job at an upholstery shop. With those funds, he was able to buy a TV for the family. He enjoyed his school years. As a reward for being elected head of safety patrol, he got to see his first movie. He was 13 when his mother died of cancer. Two years later his dad married Helen, a wonderful woman who took on raising 2 boys. Hal was best man at their wedding and Bruce took photos. His high school years were spent with lots of friends, playing clarinet in high school band and working various jobs. He was elected class president and gave the graduation speech.

The next step was Wayne State University in Detroit where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He joined Wayne Christian Fellowship. They had 200 plus students who jammed into Science Hall for singing, a Bible lesson, fellowship and of course special retreats. His junior year he became president.

Next was law school, work and Jan. (Yes, I asked him out first). With the help of baloney sandwiches, an old car he bought and a job at National Bank, he was able to attend law school in the morning, study in the afternoon, drive to downtown Detroit, sleep in his car, and work at the bank at night. On weekends, he worked at a medical facility, plus had a few dates with Jan.

He finished law school earning his Juris Doctor degree and passed the Bar Exam. Next was to find a job. Through friends he was introduced to Attorney, Dr. Davidson, who was looking for a law clerk and Hal fit the bill. We now could get engaged and make plans for our life together for these 64 years.

He was able to do Dr. Davidson’s work, and also build his own practice. After the death of Dr. Davidson, he was hired with another firm. Jan finished her degree in education and was hired by the Detroit school system and later the Farmington school system. They were married at Evangelical Covenant Church on April 21, 1961, in Detroit. Through Jan’s financial help, it was time for him to start his own practice. He rented a room in an office building in Farmington Hills and The Law office of Harold A. Larson was born. A farm house in Farmington Hills, with no running water and no septic was purchased. He joined Kiwanis, YMCA, Farmington City Counsel and Christian Legal Society, litigating pro bono cases. A Saturday running group inspired him to participate in marathons. He then ran the big Detroit Marathon. He took up cycling with a friend, plus 250 other cyclists, rode 273.1 miles in four days from Lansing, Michigan to the Mackinaw Bridge. He was on many of the Covenant Denomination’s boards, traveling to scout out land to plant new churches. He was on the North Park College board, our denomination’s school, of which our children both attended. With a large grin on his face, he was able to hand each of our children their college diplomas. He was moderator for our denomination’s annual meetings for 2 years.

A doctor in Detroit shared her dream with Hal of a free clinic for the uninsured in Detroit. He was all in as were others and in a year they secured a building and church members and others went to work transforming the building into a medical clinic. He was chairman of the church when the board decided to plant a church in Farmington Hills. He oversaw the building of Faith Covenant Church which continued to be our home church until 2008.

We bought a lakeside cottage. Learning to water-ski was first on the agenda, but we also wanted to use it for God too. It became a place for young adult retreats, a place to invite new visitors to our church to and a special place for our kids to bring their friends. Many remember “Big Bass Lake” and tell us how they found new friends, enjoyed the fellowship and deepened their faith there. Hal was very proud of his family legacy, which includes, Scott wife Kim, Kim husband Kent, Erik wife Krista, (Nolan, Lily), Sean wife Audrey, (Jack).

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In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Hal's honor to Community Covenant Church.