Jay Larsen

Jay Larsen, 86, of Waco passed away on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2006 following a brief illness.

Visitation will be from 5 pm to 7 pm on Wednesday, Oct.18, at the OakCrest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque Blvd.

Jay Peter Larsen was born in Howard, South Dakota on December 3rd, 1919, the son of Lars Peter and Ella (Storm) Larsen. Following high school, Jay joined the Civilian Conservation Corps, near Custer, South Dakota.

Jay attended College in Huron, South Dakota until W.W.II erupted. In 1942, he was sent to Africa to bring back prisoners of war. He also spent nearly two years in New Guinea and the Philippines. He returned to college for his degree in 1947 and married college sweetheart Estel Janssen.

He taught high school until 1956, when he became George McGovern's Administrative Aide in Washington. In 1957 the Democratic National Committee recruited him as Midwest Regional Representative, covering eight states through the Kennedy election.

He was appointed Personnel Director for the Postal Service Minneapolis region in 1961, later relocating to Chicago. He and Estel retired to Waco in 1979.

In retirement, Jay acted in plays at the Waco Civic Theatre. Jay was a gardener, and was a member of the Waco Coin Club, Alzheimer Support Association, and other groups. He cheered for Baylor's Lady Bears, and he and Estel traveled extensively, especially to Denmark, England, Australia, and within the US. He is preceded in death by his brother Evald (Larry) Larsen, of Axtell.

Jay's greatest interest was politics. He was on the Waco City Council 1987-1988 and ran for mayor and state senate. He produced a political newsletter, volunteered for the Democratic party, and contributed to Waco Tribune-Herald's editorial pages.

Jay is survived by his wife, Estel Janssen Larsen of Waco. He is also survived by his son, Jon Larsen and wife, Nancy; and grandson, Peter Larsen of Minneapolis, and his daughter Lise Pyles and husband, William of San Antonio, and their two sons John Pyles of Waco and Jay Pyles of San Antonio.