Busy lawyer found time to volunteer with youth

Marion V. "Mick" Larson was early in his volunteer career as a YMCA Indian guide when he spotted an elderly man wearing a beaded necklace that hung nearly to his feet.

Each bead represented an activity the man had organized for children in the program.

"I'm going to become that guy," he told his son, Scott.

When Mr. Larson died on May 31 after a bout of pneumonia, his necklace — all 5 feet 2 inches of it — reached his shins. He was 71.

"He had the warmest, most caring heart," Scott Larson said of his father, whom the guides nicknamed "Silver Cloud" for his mane of thick, gray hair.

Over the years, Mr. Larson led scores of children on camping trips, mountaineering adventures and beach hikes, even as he managed a busy law practice in Seattle specializing in tax and corporate law, and mergers and acquisitions.

Mr. Larson was born March 9, 1940, in Sioux City, Iowa, the middle child of a career Army officer. The family moved around the United States during Mr. Larson's youth, and settled in Seattle in the 1950s.

When Mr. Larson started school at Lake Washington High School, the football coach made a beeline for him.

Sizing up Mr. Larson's 6-foot-2-inch, 250-pound frame, the coach said, "You look very strong and intimidating. Would you consider playing football?"

With those words, a star was born. Mr. Larson became an all-state player by his graduation in 1958, and one of the West Coast's best linemen. He attended Washington State University on a football scholarship, graduating with honors in accounting in 1962.

Mr. Larson loved the Palouse, his son said. "He'd go hunting and fishing, and then race back to class."

On a dare from a professor, Mr. Larson took and passed the CPA exam on the first try, his son said.

Egged on by that same professor, Mr. Larson entered the University of Washington Law School on a scholarship, graduating with honors in 1965. A year later, he received a master's in taxation from New York University, and married his wife, Bonnie, with whom he raised three boys.

After graduation, Mr. Larson was one of three attorneys who researched and wrote six volumes on Washington's health, welfare and benefit-plan laws.

Mr. Larson worked at Cartano Botzer Chapman law firm for nearly 20 years, leaving as a senior partner in 1987 to become a partner at Riddell Williams. Among his clients: Airborne Express, Mid Mountain Construction, Daishowa Paper and Washington Energy Co.

He also taught a course in tax law at the UW Law School.

At work, and among his friends, Mr. Larson was often sought out for his advice, his son, Scott Larson said.

"He was a man of few words, but he gave great advice in a calm, even and approachable way. He was a very honorable man who was always seen as a mentor."

His advice could be ordinary: "You waste more time worrying about a problem than the effort it takes to solve it." But the integrity of the messenger infused it with new credibility and made it memorable, his son said.

Despite his heavy-duty job, Mr. Larson loved a good joke and made time for his boys, his son said.

In addition to his work with the Indian Guides, Mr. Larson coached many of his son's sports teams, including one Willie Mays League baseball team that made it to state championship. His favorite charities: YMCA, Boy Scouts of America and Father Edward J. Flanagan's Boys Town.

Mr. Larson made things fun for the adults, too, he said. When the adults were dreading a winter cabin overnight for the kids, he turned it into a party by insulating a cabin so the adults could hunker down in warmth to play poker and cribbage, tell stories and imbibe in adult beverages until sunrise.

Mr. Larson retired from work in 2007, but not from card-playing — he was a frequent visitor to the "504 Room" at the Rainier Club — and never from fishing.

His was a familiar silhouette at sunrise along the shores of Lake Washington near Husky Stadium and the Montlake Cut, and on the beaches of Vashon Island, where the family owns a home.

"My father lived his life to the fullest," Scott Larson said. "He was so proud of the life he had, and the family he raised."

In addition to his wife, Bonnie, and his son, Scott, he is survived by sons Bruce and Todd, and four grandchildren.

The family held a private service at the Lakeside School chapel. A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday, June 23, at the Seattle Tennis Club, 922 McGilvra Blvd. E., Seattle. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mr. Larson's name may be sent to the Boy Scouts of America.

Susan Kelleher: 206-464-2508 or skelleher@seattletimes.com