Brian L Larson

November 13, 1974 - March 7, 2020

Brian Lewis Larson, son, brother, husband, father, uncle, friend, loved the Tri-Cities. Brian couldn't bear the thought of leaving the place with the people he cherished, the many aunts, uncles and cousins, nieces, nephews and the things he loved to do. His love of this area started at an early age fishing at Elliot's Lake with his childhood and life-long friend Tim Burrill and hunting with his Uncle Larry Larson, his Dad Jerry's younger brother, who taught him to shoot a rifle and hunt. From the time he was born on November 13, 1974 in Richland until his passing March 7, 2020, he enjoyed all his hometown had to offer. As a child, he followed in the footsteps of his older brothers, Chad Larson and Jason Shelt, and played soccer, little league baseball, grid-kids football and even tried wrestling. However, his passion was not in playing sports, but instead loved music. He particularly appreciated country western and often wore the accompanying cowboy hat, but was surprised to discover he also enjoyed Elton John. His sister, Catherine Larson, had arranged for her three brothers and their parents, John and Janyce (McBee) Shelt to attend Elton John's Good-Bye Yellow Brick Road tour. While waiting in line for the concert, Brian entertained the family and everyone within earshot, with his usual quick-witted humor for which he was well-known, about having to attend the "passé" concert. To his amazement Brian spent the next three hours, clapping and dancing to the Rocket Man; he shouldn't have been surprised, he loved music. While he left sports behind, Brian still shared his brothers' passion for the mountains and snowmobiling which they learned to love as a child. His love for the mountains first started as a small boy, spending time at his Grandpa and Grandma Larson's cabin. Later, the Shelt-Larson family would spend most week-ends at their Shelt(er) cabin in the Blue Mountains. Brian continued this legacy when he started his own family after marrying Vivian Hubschman and having the two great loves of his life, son Clayton Lewis, named after his maternal grandfather, and daughter Kathryn Elizabeth, named for Brian's sister, Catherine, whom he always turned to when he needed help. Having children about the same time, Brian enjoyed spending time with Chad's family including wife Letisha Larson and their children Isabella and Dylan Larson, enjoying holidays and special occasions together. Brian shared his hobbies and interests with his children. He would take them to Columbia Park where they launched rockets they had made into the air and watch them slowly descend back to earth by parachute. Brian built and raced model hydroplanes, but he especially loved building model trains and running them with Clay on the track he built in the rec room. Brian not only built small models, he built large ones too. After attending Kennewick High School, Brian went into construction where he learned his craft as a carpenter. But Brian first learned sheet-rocking working for his Uncle Michael McBee. After framing many businesses and large homes throughout the Tri-Cities, and with the help of his family, Brian opened his own company, B Larson Contracting. It was during this time that Brian collaborated with his two brothers to build their parent's dream home. It was the synergy and creativity of the three brothers, with their Dad John managing the money, that a true masterpiece "doll house" was created for their mother. John also helped Brian manage his own money. Brian often recounted the time when he moved back home and John charged him rent. When he was ready to be on his own again, John gave him back all the rent money so Brian would have a nest egg. John was always there for him when Brian needed him and especially in the last few years. Brian spent many of his early summers at his Aunt and Uncle's house where his cousin Patti's husband, Dennis Kubie, helped Brian restore a classic red Volkswagen Beattle. It turned out to be a beauty and Brian always regretted selling it. It was those summers spent with Patti and Dennis that he became close with his second cousin, Amanda (Kubie) Cortez, which he always considered his little sister. Brian also loved God and whenever he was away from home, he would always ask his mother for a bible, preferably the King James version. His favorite Bible and most desirable was his Grandpa McBee's. While old and tattered, Brian found solace in reading from the same pages his Granddad had done every night after returning from WWII. He learned many family stories like that from his Grandmother McBee when he and his dog Bo lived with her while working for Michael. After Bo chewed the sofa in front of Grandma, Brian asked her why she let Bo do it, and she responded, "It looked like he was having fun." Brian loved Bo for their sixteen years together, but he dearly loved his Grandmother. A simple "What would your Grandma think?" would always make him pause. Not only did he get his Granddad's bible, Brian seemed to have inherited his artistic talent. He loved to draw and Brian was very proud when people would exchange gifts with Brian for one of his sketches. Brian had a loving and supporting family and no one was more important than his mother, Janyce. For Brian's 45 years on this earth she was his rock providing constant and ongoing support and guidance. His mother served as his protector, counselor, inspiration, and the one he could count on at any and all costs and without falter. In Brian's own words she was, "the best mother a son could ask for". She encouraged and supported his artistic talent, providing the resources and supplies to design his creative pursuits. More than a mother's love, she wanted so much to help him conquer his demons, find happiness and inner peace. The two were extremely close and spent countless hours on the phone talking whenever he needed guidance, assurance, solace, or just someone to listen. His mother would at times call on the support of her sister Rebecca (McBee) Wilson, a drug and alcohol professional for assistance with her console of Brian. As a child Brian took family trips with his Dad Jerry and Shelley Larson, Catherine, Chad and Shelley's daughters, Dana and Jill Sutphin, with whom Brian stayed in contact. Brian's home was not far from his Dad and Shelley's house in Pasco and he would visit his Dad who helped him put together a drum set and then taught him the rudiments of drumming so that he could learn to play like his dad. It was playing the drums that Brian would use later in life to help him escape. The last few years were a struggle for Brian and he wanted so hard to turn it around, for his friends, for his family, but especially for himself. Whenever he was feeling down, just talking to his children would raise his spirits. Last Christmas Brian joined the family on Christmas Eve and was finally able to meet Catherine's boyfriend, Doug Koch, Doug felt fortunate to meet Brian at last after hearing so many amazing Brian stories. Doug quickly sensed Brian's struggles and his desperate desire to change. Early this year Brian checked himself into Sundown M Ranch where he was instantly popular as the haze in his mind disappeared. On graduation day, the counselor called Brian and his parents John and Janyce aside for a special presentation, which she said she didn't often do and hoped to see Brian back in a year to help others. But the world proved too much for Brian, so on a cold, dark and lonely night, Brian found peace, jamming to his music. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations in Brian's name to My Friends' Place. Donations can be made by mailing a check to My Friends' Place, 1112 N. Grant Place, Kennewick, WA 99336 or online at safeharborsupportcenter.org. A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date.