Samuel Larson

Nov 16, 1970 -

Nov 3, 2024

Samuel Toke Larson lived his life with purpose, kindness, humor, integrity and love. Sam was born to David and Audrey (Oberst) in Anchorage, Alaska, in 1970, and grew up with curiosity about the world and with a drive to experience the most out of life that he could.

If Sam wasn't learning about a subject that was interesting to him or preparing for another grand adventure, he became restless. His drive to seek out new experiences took him all over the world, starting with Iliamna, Alaska, where he lived the dream of his youth to be a bush pilot and aviation mechanic. Many of the campfire stories Sam relished in regaling to new and familiar listeners harkened back to these days.

When it was time to see another part of the world, Sam enlisted in the Army and trained as a Russian linguist at the DLI Foreign Language center in Monterey, Calif. For most of his service with the 105th MI Battalion, Sam was stationed in Germany. At every opportunity, Sam took advantage of touring around Europe by train, enjoying museums, trying local foods and beers, and hiking in the Alps. During the Iraq War, Sam was deployed to Fallujah in 2003, where through his contribution and conduct, he was awarded expeditionary, service and commendation medals.

At the end of his enlistment, Sam decided to go back to school to earn a mining engineering degree at the University of Arizona. It was in Tucson, Ariz., where Sam met his great love and "best adventure buddy" Stephanie. For their 15 years together, based mostly in Elko, Nev., Sam and Stephanie had numerous cross-country road trips, checked off as many National Parks and Caribbean islands as they could and were always trying and learning new things together, no matter how big or small. Their last great road trip was driving up the Alcan to start a new chapter back in Anchorage. Sam and Stephanie dreamed of flying their PA-12 to new adventures and making new memories in the wild lands beyond the roads. Up until the end, Sam was taking classes online to enrich his mind and was making plans for more adventures.

Sam T. Larson, beloved husband, son, brother and friend to many, passed away at home on Nov. 3, 2024, after a brief and aggressive palliative cancer management regimen. Sam will be remembered for his calm and gentle disposition, his strength and bravery, his love of life, his kind-hearted sense of humor and his devotion to his family, friends and pets.

Sam is preceded in death by his mother, Audrey Larson; and he is survived by his wife, Stephanie (Zielinski); father, David Larson; brother, Ben Larson (Sarah); sisters, Clara Torsen (Carey) and Kirsten Baxter (Roy); and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.

Sam Larson's Celebration of Life will be held on June 20, 2025, at the Alaska Aviation Museum, 4721 Aircraft Drive, Anchorage, AK 99502.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Sam Larson Memorial Scholarship - an annual scholarship that his family has founded in Sam's name to assist deserving students of the University of Alaska Aviation Maintenance Technology Program. Contributions can be made online at https://engage.alaska.edu/. Under Donation Designation, please select "Other" and note "In memory of Sam Larson."

Checks can also be mailed to University of Alaska Anchorage, c/o University of Alaska Foundation, 1815 Bragaw St., Ste. 206, Anchorage, AK 99508. Please make checks payable to UA Foundation; include on the memo line: Sam Larson AMT Scholarship.