Alden Jerrold Larson
February 23, 1984 – April 12, 2011
Alden Larson passed away on April 12, 2011 at the age of 27 while traveling in Thailand. He was born to Barbara and Jerrold Larson in Santa Barbara, California on February 23, 1984, joining his sister Carlee Ashen. Alden and his family moved to Bainbridge Island when he was two years old and there he remained a life long resident.
Alden attended Country Montessori School, Ordway Elementary School, Woodward Middle School, Green Onion School, West Sound Academy and Boulder Creek Academy in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. A talented chef, Alden fulfilled a dream in graduating from Seattle Culinary Academy in 2005, and worked as both chef and server at San Carlos Restaurant on Bainbridge Island until 2009.
Many will smile when they remember Alden’s unique personality: Witty and intelligent, sensitive, creative, curious, deep, entrepreneurial, and opinionated, with a very quick mind. He enjoyed lifelong learning in history and politics, in addition to pursuing his passion for cooking. He was also very active online, contributing to a wide variety of blogs and online forums.
Alden’s trip to Thailand was one he had been looking forward to for a long time. In addition to exploring the culinary delights and honing his karaoke skills, he also earned his open water diving certificate; something he had wanted to do for years. At the time of his passing, Alden had been traveling in Thailand for two months and was about to take a Teaching ESL course so that he could teach English. His plan was to travel for two years, learning the language, enjoying the cuisine, and immersing himself in the Thai culture. He was indeed living the dream!
Alden was loving and loved, and will always be remembered by his family, friends, and neighbors. Alden is survived by his mother Barbara Larson of Bainbridge Island and his father Jerrold Larson, his sister Carlee Ashen, brother-in-law Mercury Michael, and niece Marina Michael of Bainbridge Island. He was also very close with his extended family of cousins, aunts and uncles with whom he enjoyed many family trips and reunions over the years.
He is also survived by his grandmother Hilda Larson of Rancho Bernardo, CA, his beloved aunts and uncles, Stacey Sampson of San Diego, CA, Lee Larson of Portland, OR, Alan and Ruth Larson of Rancho Bernardo, CA, and Sara Bennett Hills of San Francisco, CA, and his cousins Oliver Bennett of Providence, RI, Susan Bennett of Paris, France, Kristen Crowell of Clackamas, OR, Leah Brown of San Diego, CA, David Larson of Rancho Bernardo, CA and Amy Larson of Portland, OR.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 7th, 3PM at Grace Episcopal Church on Bainbridge Island followed by a reception at the home of Carlee Ashen and Mercury Michael.
A scholarship fund in Alden’s name has been established for families wanting to attend Compassionate Communication Family Camp and can be sent to Northwest Compassionate Communication, 11205 SW Corbin Beach Road, #2, Vashon Island, WA 98070.
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