For those of you who could not make it, let me share my welcome and eulogy to those in attendance.
"Ladies and Gentlemen,
My name is Jim Torgeson and I am here to celebrate the life of Larry Larson.
I want us all to share about Larry and will attempt to keep my time up here brief, but it will be hard because of the impact he had upon my life and so many others.
Certainly, there will be tears, but Larry’s life was always filled with laughter and his passing should be no different. It is absolutely what he would want.
Let me begin by saying that I would not be the man I today if not for Larry being such a great part of my life.
Larry hailed from Rockford, IL. As a young man, he played baseball for the Braves organization before big contracts were falling from the sky.
He decided to move to Glendale in a rickety truck with his accordion to open a music studio in hopes of profits, studio work and live performances.
He opened his shop 60 years ago. Obviously, his passion for music has stood the test of time.
As many young men, Larry got married and had his first two children, Anita and Danny. Although his marriage did not work out , he tried a couple more times and was blessed with a daughter, Julie.
About 16 years ago, he gave love another chance and found Leigh, a woman who he told me was "his everything." A woman he said was so good that "he did not deserve her" and that he would be "lost without."
Relationships can never be understood by people on the outside, but one thing that Leigh gave Larry, until the moment he passed and beyond, was love. Larry passed knowing someone loved him and we should all be so lucky.
He eventually passed on his own terms and had imparted more wisdom upon me in his last couple years than most fathers pass to their sons in a lifetime.
Let me share how Larry became more than just a boss or mentor to me. More than a "favorite uncle."
I began working for Larry when I was only 14 years old. I hung out in his shop so much that he figured he might as well pay me.
The opportunity he gave me forever changed my life. As many teenaged boys, I was trying to find my way. Larry gave me responsibilities and when I showed I could do that, he added more. Eventually, he gave me the keys to the store because he got me to rise to every challenge.
He taught me to sell, to listen and actually hear the customer. I learned people skills that to this day, benefit me more than almost any other lesson learned. He took me under his wing and, after my first real heartbreak, explained that although I may be hurt, I was hurting over what I thought my relationship was or could have been, not what it really was. He helped me believe I deserved better... Although I will say that girl was pretty hot.
Working for Larry let me become "the cool guitar player" and earn respect and sometimes envy from the other guys. He helped me build a self-confidence that propelled a career in music for decades.
Larry had a love of performing. His buddies like Spider Webb, Vinnie DiMeo and a host of others showed me how chemistry played into music. He made money, had big laughs, he certainly loved the food at these gigs, but it was, above all else, fun.
Larry’s partner in crime was Neil LeVang. So many days those two would hold court in the shop or go down to Rusty’s Mexican Hacienda. I remember Larry coming back one day, hooking his Cordovox according, an amplified beast that could sound like almost anything and suddenly belting a out a version of Purple Haze, singing as loud as he could. "Purple Haze, it’s in my brain.." I’ll never forget it. He played a mean Deep Purple too!
After graduating UCLA, playing in bands and moving to Arizona, I would still call and stop by to see the master. Always a great joke. Always a laugh. Always wishing I could stay longer. Larry became friends with my parents through all those years and my Dad always credited Larry with "getting me out of my shell and making me and extrovert."
In fact, although I am my father’s son, Larry is responsible for more of my personality and backbone than anyone.
When I met my wife, I brought her by the shop for the old man’s approval. He was family.
When he came to my wedding, Larry was telling my Dad, my God Father and my wife’s God Father jokes and in the middle of a joke, he slaps her God Father on the stomach "anyone tell you that you look like Ted Turner?"
He answered "I am Ted Turner." (He is) Larry, smiled, said "Oh, then hold this so I can finish the joke." Nothing really phased him and he laughed about that all the time. Larry was comfortable anywhere.
I his last years, Larry would still go with the laughs, he was remarried, and so very happy. He would remind me almost every time we spoke about how important having someone in your life is. That someone for him is Leigh.
We all have successes and failures in life, but Larry inspired me to open a guitar shop later this year. I had put if off for years, but as his time waned, he demonstrated how important music and his shop were to him and that "a man that loves what he does never works a day in his life."
Even after passing, his impact will be felt. I will open a store so that I can play, play, hold court and enjoy my life. I will continue to appreciate my wife and her unwavering support because he showed me that it’s the most important thing in life.
I want to thank Leigh for loving my friend.
Now, I could stand her for hours with stories, but let me call upon all of you to share a story, a laugh or anything you are comfortable with. Let’s us do Larry proud and not forget how to laugh and to live well."