I was born in Safford, Graham County, Arizona, on August 27th, 1929. The house that the folks bought was a very big two story lumber house on 5 lots of land. It was an old house(over 100 years) but my mother always kept it immaculate, inside & out. It was a perfect place to grow up. being lost in the jungle or other interesting things.
I had four older brothers and sisters. Jess(16), Veris(14), Ray(12), & Doris(10), these were their ages when I was born. Jess was my hero, it seemed like he could do anything. He had a head full of black curls and was very good looking (the girls thought so too!) He and Veris were always very good to me...more so than Ray and Doris. I think their noses had been put a little out of shape by my being born.
My dad was a forest ranger when I was little. For the Crook National Forest which is now part of the Coronado. We lived in town (Safford) in the winter so the kids could go to school but as soon as school was out, we were off to the Graham Mountains to live all summer.
My life changed a lot in 1939 when my day was made Superintendent of the Forest District. This was a real step up for him considering he had run away from home as a very young man and had very little formal education. I lost my wonderful life on the mountain and had to live in town all year. I went to Safford Elementary School and High School from which I graduated in 1947.
Another thing that changed in my life was that my Grandma Anglin(momma's mother) came to live with us. Grandpa died and she didn't want to live alone.
In 1946, after Germany and then Japan surrendered, boys started coming back from the service, but they weren't boys anymore, they were men. At a Christmas dance in 1946, I met a good looking blonde from Pima, named Jay Larson. I'd never known him before because he had joined the Navy when he was just 16 ( I would have been 13). It was love at first sight for me and I guess for him too.
In May of 1949, our daughter Janet was born and life became a little more serious. We bought a house, out in what was called Jensen addition (the first sub-division in Safford) and Jay went to work as a sheriff's deputy for "Skeet Bowman", long time Graham County Sheriff. In 1952, our son John was born. We had moved to a bigger house on 8th Ave in Safford by that time. Jay was working for the Safford Packing Company, driving a semi-truck. Jay's dad had been in real estate for some time (Larson & McBride realty). He encouraged us to move to Phoenix and for Jay to get his real estate license. We moved to Phoenix in the summer of 1952 and bought a house of 11th Street in Northeast Phoenix.
In the spring of 1962, I discovered I was pregnant after all those years. John was ten and Janet thirteen. We were excited. On November 10, 1962 our lives changed forever when our son Kent Alan was born.
I'd like to include some of my favorite things; in the scriptures: John 11:25-26 & the 23rd Psalm, hymn "I know that my Redeemer lives", flowers: pansies, daffodils & pink roses. I love Spanish food & home-made ice cream, the smell of home made bread, freshly washed & ironed clothes, the crisp feel in the air of an autumn day, the Pacific ocean when the tide is coming in. I like to read and clean house and cook. My favorite authors are Jane Austen & Mary Balough, my favorite place to visit is San Francisco & my color is blue.
In July of 1998, I was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, something I had never heard of.
I want any of my posterity that read this to know that I have a strong testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that Joseph Smith was a true prophet, I know that God lives and loves us and that Jesus is the Christ, the son of the living God. I have a testimony that God hears and answers our prayers, not always in the way we expect. Joining the Church was the best thing I ever did in my life. I've lived a good and happy life. I've been loved and taken care of every day of my existence, first by my dear parents and then by Jay, whom I love so very much. If this disease brings my life to a premature end, I have no regrets and am at peace within myself. I've tried to do the very best I could do every day of my life and am ready for what ever Heavenly Father has in store for me. I may live another year or ten, I don't think anybody knows enough about this to say but I can truly state that I have loved the Lord, my husband and my family and am grateful for every day that is granted me in this life. May the Lord's choicest blessings be upon each one of you.
written by Laura Jean Rowley Larson, February 1999
I had four older brothers and sisters. Jess(16), Veris(14), Ray(12), & Doris(10), these were their ages when I was born. Jess was my hero, it seemed like he could do anything. He had a head full of black curls and was very good looking (the girls thought so too!) He and Veris were always very good to me...more so than Ray and Doris. I think their noses had been put a little out of shape by my being born.
My dad was a forest ranger when I was little. For the Crook National Forest which is now part of the Coronado. We lived in town (Safford) in the winter so the kids could go to school but as soon as school was out, we were off to the Graham Mountains to live all summer.
My life changed a lot in 1939 when my day was made Superintendent of the Forest District. This was a real step up for him considering he had run away from home as a very young man and had very little formal education. I lost my wonderful life on the mountain and had to live in town all year. I went to Safford Elementary School and High School from which I graduated in 1947.
Another thing that changed in my life was that my Grandma Anglin(momma's mother) came to live with us. Grandpa died and she didn't want to live alone.
In 1946, after Germany and then Japan surrendered, boys started coming back from the service, but they weren't boys anymore, they were men. At a Christmas dance in 1946, I met a good looking blonde from Pima, named Jay Larson. I'd never known him before because he had joined the Navy when he was just 16 ( I would have been 13). It was love at first sight for me and I guess for him too.
In May of 1949, our daughter Janet was born and life became a little more serious. We bought a house, out in what was called Jensen addition (the first sub-division in Safford) and Jay went to work as a sheriff's deputy for "Skeet Bowman", long time Graham County Sheriff. In 1952, our son John was born. We had moved to a bigger house on 8th Ave in Safford by that time. Jay was working for the Safford Packing Company, driving a semi-truck. Jay's dad had been in real estate for some time (Larson & McBride realty). He encouraged us to move to Phoenix and for Jay to get his real estate license. We moved to Phoenix in the summer of 1952 and bought a house of 11th Street in Northeast Phoenix.
In the spring of 1962, I discovered I was pregnant after all those years. John was ten and Janet thirteen. We were excited. On November 10, 1962 our lives changed forever when our son Kent Alan was born.
I'd like to include some of my favorite things; in the scriptures: John 11:25-26 & the 23rd Psalm, hymn "I know that my Redeemer lives", flowers: pansies, daffodils & pink roses. I love Spanish food & home-made ice cream, the smell of home made bread, freshly washed & ironed clothes, the crisp feel in the air of an autumn day, the Pacific ocean when the tide is coming in. I like to read and clean house and cook. My favorite authors are Jane Austen & Mary Balough, my favorite place to visit is San Francisco & my color is blue.
In July of 1998, I was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, something I had never heard of.
I want any of my posterity that read this to know that I have a strong testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that Joseph Smith was a true prophet, I know that God lives and loves us and that Jesus is the Christ, the son of the living God. I have a testimony that God hears and answers our prayers, not always in the way we expect. Joining the Church was the best thing I ever did in my life. I've lived a good and happy life. I've been loved and taken care of every day of my existence, first by my dear parents and then by Jay, whom I love so very much. If this disease brings my life to a premature end, I have no regrets and am at peace within myself. I've tried to do the very best I could do every day of my life and am ready for what ever Heavenly Father has in store for me. I may live another year or ten, I don't think anybody knows enough about this to say but I can truly state that I have loved the Lord, my husband and my family and am grateful for every day that is granted me in this life. May the Lord's choicest blessings be upon each one of you.
written by Laura Jean Rowley Larson, February 1999
I was born in Safford, Graham County, Arizona, on August 27th, 1929. The house that the folks bought was a very big two story lumber house on 5 lots of land. It was an old house(over 100 years) but my mother always kept it immaculate, inside & out. It was a perfect place to grow up. being lost in the jungle or other interesting things.
I had four older brothers and sisters. Jess(16), Veris(14), Ray(12), & Doris(10), these were their ages when I was born. Jess was my hero, it seemed like he could do anything. He had a head full of black curls and was very good looking (the girls thought so too!) He and Veris were always very good to me...more so than Ray and Doris. I think their noses had been put a little out of shape by my being born.
My dad was a forest ranger when I was little. For the Crook National Forest which is now part of the Coronado. We lived in town (Safford) in the winter so the kids could go to school but as soon as school was out, we were off to the Graham Mountains to live all summer.
My life changed a lot in 1939 when my day was made Superintendent of the Forest District. This was a real step up for him considering he had run away from home as a very young man and had very little formal education. I lost my wonderful life on the mountain and had to live in town all year. I went to Safford Elementary School and High School from which I graduated in 1947.
Another thing that changed in my life was that my Grandma Anglin(momma's mother) came to live with us. Grandpa died and she didn't want to live alone.
In 1946, after Germany and then Japan surrendered, boys started coming back from the service, but they weren't boys anymore, they were men. At a Christmas dance in 1946, I met a good looking blonde from Pima, named Jay Larson. I'd never known him before because he had joined the Navy when he was just 16 ( I would have been 13). It was love at first sight for me and I guess for him too.
In May of 1949, our daughter Janet was born and life became a little more serious. We bought a house, out in what was called Jensen addition (the first sub-division in Safford) and Jay went to work as a sheriff's deputy for "Skeet Bowman", long time Graham County Sheriff. In 1952, our son John was born. We had moved to a bigger house on 8th Ave in Safford by that time. Jay was working for the Safford Packing Company, driving a semi-truck. Jay's dad had been in real estate for some time (Larson & McBride realty). He encouraged us to move to Phoenix and for Jay to get his real estate license. We moved to Phoenix in the summer of 1952 and bought a house of 11th Street in Northeast Phoenix.
In the spring of 1962, I discovered I was pregnant after all those years. John was ten and Janet thirteen. We were excited. On November 10, 1962 our lives changed forever when our son Kent Alan was born.
I'd like to include some of my favorite things; in the scriptures: John 11:25-26 & the 23rd Psalm, hymn "I know that my Redeemer lives", flowers: pansies, daffodils & pink roses. I love Spanish food & home-made ice cream, the smell of home made bread, freshly washed & ironed clothes, the crisp feel in the air of an autumn day, the Pacific ocean when the tide is coming in. I like to read and clean house and cook. My favorite authors are Jane Austen & Mary Balough, my favorite place to visit is San Francisco & my color is blue.
In July of 1998, I was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, something I had never heard of.
I want any of my posterity that read this to know that I have a strong testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that Joseph Smith was a true prophet, I know that God lives and loves us and that Jesus is the Christ, the son of the living God. I have a testimony that God hears and answers our prayers, not always in the way we expect. Joining the Church was the best thing I ever did in my life. I've lived a good and happy life. I've been loved and taken care of every day of my existence, first by my dear parents and then by Jay, whom I love so very much. If this disease brings my life to a premature end, I have no regrets and am at peace within myself. I've tried to do the very best I could do every day of my life and am ready for what ever Heavenly Father has in store for me. I may live another year or ten, I don't think anybody knows enough about this to say but I can truly state that I have loved the Lord, my husband and my family and am grateful for every day that is granted me in this life. May the Lord's choicest blessings be upon each one of you.
written by Laura Jean Rowley Larson, February 1999
I had four older brothers and sisters. Jess(16), Veris(14), Ray(12), & Doris(10), these were their ages when I was born. Jess was my hero, it seemed like he could do anything. He had a head full of black curls and was very good looking (the girls thought so too!) He and Veris were always very good to me...more so than Ray and Doris. I think their noses had been put a little out of shape by my being born.
My dad was a forest ranger when I was little. For the Crook National Forest which is now part of the Coronado. We lived in town (Safford) in the winter so the kids could go to school but as soon as school was out, we were off to the Graham Mountains to live all summer.
My life changed a lot in 1939 when my day was made Superintendent of the Forest District. This was a real step up for him considering he had run away from home as a very young man and had very little formal education. I lost my wonderful life on the mountain and had to live in town all year. I went to Safford Elementary School and High School from which I graduated in 1947.
Another thing that changed in my life was that my Grandma Anglin(momma's mother) came to live with us. Grandpa died and she didn't want to live alone.
In 1946, after Germany and then Japan surrendered, boys started coming back from the service, but they weren't boys anymore, they were men. At a Christmas dance in 1946, I met a good looking blonde from Pima, named Jay Larson. I'd never known him before because he had joined the Navy when he was just 16 ( I would have been 13). It was love at first sight for me and I guess for him too.
In May of 1949, our daughter Janet was born and life became a little more serious. We bought a house, out in what was called Jensen addition (the first sub-division in Safford) and Jay went to work as a sheriff's deputy for "Skeet Bowman", long time Graham County Sheriff. In 1952, our son John was born. We had moved to a bigger house on 8th Ave in Safford by that time. Jay was working for the Safford Packing Company, driving a semi-truck. Jay's dad had been in real estate for some time (Larson & McBride realty). He encouraged us to move to Phoenix and for Jay to get his real estate license. We moved to Phoenix in the summer of 1952 and bought a house of 11th Street in Northeast Phoenix.
In the spring of 1962, I discovered I was pregnant after all those years. John was ten and Janet thirteen. We were excited. On November 10, 1962 our lives changed forever when our son Kent Alan was born.
I'd like to include some of my favorite things; in the scriptures: John 11:25-26 & the 23rd Psalm, hymn "I know that my Redeemer lives", flowers: pansies, daffodils & pink roses. I love Spanish food & home-made ice cream, the smell of home made bread, freshly washed & ironed clothes, the crisp feel in the air of an autumn day, the Pacific ocean when the tide is coming in. I like to read and clean house and cook. My favorite authors are Jane Austen & Mary Balough, my favorite place to visit is San Francisco & my color is blue.
In July of 1998, I was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, something I had never heard of.
I want any of my posterity that read this to know that I have a strong testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that Joseph Smith was a true prophet, I know that God lives and loves us and that Jesus is the Christ, the son of the living God. I have a testimony that God hears and answers our prayers, not always in the way we expect. Joining the Church was the best thing I ever did in my life. I've lived a good and happy life. I've been loved and taken care of every day of my existence, first by my dear parents and then by Jay, whom I love so very much. If this disease brings my life to a premature end, I have no regrets and am at peace within myself. I've tried to do the very best I could do every day of my life and am ready for what ever Heavenly Father has in store for me. I may live another year or ten, I don't think anybody knows enough about this to say but I can truly state that I have loved the Lord, my husband and my family and am grateful for every day that is granted me in this life. May the Lord's choicest blessings be upon each one of you.
written by Laura Jean Rowley Larson, February 1999
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