Clarence "Pin" Larson

MISSOULA - On January. 4, 2009, our loving husband, father, papa and friend passed away at the age of 78. He was “one of a kind” and will be sorely missed by all.





Pin was born in Butte on May 30, 1930, to John and Elna Larson. His mother passed away when he was 10 days old. He was raised by his dad John and Helen Larson in Frenchtown. He had one sister, Viola. Pin graduated from Frenchtown High School in 1948 as valedictorian of his class.





Pin was a veteran of the Coast Guard, serving during the Korean War from 1950-1953 aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Sedge (WLB-402). He served as an electrician.





On December. 7, 1956, he married the love of his life, Ann Marie Thompson from Gold Creek and began a long and wonderful life together, celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in 2006 with many friends and family. They raised seven children together and half the Orchard Homes neighborhood. Ann was often proclaimed a “saint” for putting up with his antics.





On March 1, 1956, Pin bought the Stockman’s Bar & Cafe with his partner Jim Osborne. Later John Doyle and Bucko Staninger were partners for a short period of time. He was very well known around Missoula and had established an extensive clientele at downtown Missoula’s legendary Stockman’s Bar that included the bar, cafe, poker room, apartment rentals and clothing sales. He almost single-handedly created a thriving and successful business through 40 years of hard work and his character, supporting his wife and seven children. Pin had a very strong work ethic, was a good provider for his family and a traditional father. His local success as a small-business owner was noted in the Missoulian upon his retirement in 1995 before he passed along his livelihood to his eldest son Mike, and youngest son Donnie. He turned his business into a legacy and a household name around Missoula. Many University of Montana students past and present, along with local people of all ages, reminisce about memories of time spent at Stockman’s Bar. The bar was also known for its colorful and well-known slogan pertaining to liquor being located in the front of the building and card playing being located at the rear of the establishment. It was a good idea to keep one eye on “your fries” when Pin was bartending.





He had an outstanding selection of men who were bartenders that went on to be very successful in their chosen careers and always came to see how he was doing. Along with the wonderful people who ran his kitchen from waitresses and cooks that were legendary. They were extremely loyal to dad.





He was an “old-fashioned” bartender sporting a freshly ironed white shirt and tie every day to work, listening to many tales of woe and times of victory from his many customers and friends. You were only a “stranger” in Stockman’s Bar once ... his main goal was excellent service to his customers and friends. He might not have remembered your name “buddy ro” but he knew what you drank. He was respected by many friends and prominent members of the community.





He was very involved in the Missoula community, helping to jump-start Little Grizzly football in 1968. He was also a former president of the Missoula Tavern Association. In addition he was one of the original Century 100 Club members of the University of Montana and continued into the Golden Grizzly. After retiring, Pin and Ann became avid Grizzly fans following the team to Hawaii and Chattanooga, rarely missing a game.





He loved to hunt and fish, also owning and flying his own plane in his younger wilder days. In 1968, Pin, Bucko Staninger, John Doyle, O.A. “Soko” Sokoloski, Hugh Kidder, Dean Mahrt, Por Deschamps and John Reilly built the North Fork Lodge (NFL) cabin in the upper Fish Creek area on 80 acres. They flew the lumber in by helicopter and built a rustic cabin and corrals that were enjoyed by them and their children for many years. In his later years, he loved going to Orofino, Idaho, with his “fishing buddy” Pat Bailey and many others including Joe Boyer, Ivar Lillebo and Mark Ward. His latest spot was up at Georgetown Lake on “Medicare Beach” as he called it, with his good friend Don Beardsley and Dave Thompson. He also organized his daily afternoon coffee club at Paul’s Pancake Parlor with Don and “gang” at Sportsman Surplus to catch up on the daily happenings.





Pin, given name, Clarence, was also known by his friends as the Pin Man, Pinner, Pinneruski, Ruski, and Papa to his grandkids.





Pin enjoyed the excitement of haggling for items on eBay, sometimes receiving a “lemon,” such as a pair of boots with two left feet which he would usually try to pawn off on other members of the family. Pin was always the man to find the best deal and enjoyed the challenge of finding a bargain, whether the item was needed or not.





Pin could be found making the ham and numerous turkeys every holiday for his large family and numerous friends that celebrated together. The Larson household that Pin and Ann have, always has been the central hub for family gatherings. Pin and Ann have been the glue that keeps the family close knit and have given the word “family” true meaning. Pin along with his wife Ann, instilled strong family values in their children. Deep-fried turkey and the annual egg hunt for all the children was always the tradition at Easter with many family and friends. The “pitch game” and annual duck dinner (Wild Game Feed), traditions Pin created were enjoyed by friends and family alike.





Pin was always interested in the well-being and success of his children and grandchildren, always ready to lend a helping hand when needed. He always promoted getting a good education for his older grandkids, hoping for their success and happiness in life. Pin was very proud of his family. He will be sorely missed as the patriarch of the Larson family.





Pin was heartbroken over the loss of his 8-year-old granddaughter, Elizabeth, three weeks prior to his leaving us. In his later years, he enjoyed spending time with the younger grandchildren and even baby-sat on occasion. He had turned into an old softy where the children were concerned and enjoyed buying them treats and games, contradictory to his younger years when Pin said “jump” and the kids said “how high.” He enjoyed “spoiling” and watching all of his grandchildren play their various sporting events through the years. He was known for asking the kids for a “sip” of pop ... and drinking half the can and, telling them an “owie” was a “long ways away from your heart.” Pin jokingly said “stick around me and you might learn something,” or when acknowledging a positive quality in someone, “reminds me a lot of myself,” giving everyone a laugh.





Pin is lovingly remembered and survived by his wonderful wife Ann; daughter Debbie (Ann Marie and Rachele) and Mike Parker; son Mike and Laurie (Michaella, Lindsey, Blayne); son Bob and Shirley (Clayton and our angel Elizabeth); son Bill (Luke, Emilie, Sarah); daughter Janice and Mike Harrington (John and Josh); son Donnie and Kris (Meagan and Molly); in-laws Jack and Julie Thompson, Jim and Megan Thompson, Tom and Gloria Thompson, Edie Thompson; numerous nieces and nephews, his cousin Joe Boyer and Elmer and Gladys Petersen.





He is preceded in death by his son John; granddaughter Elizabeth; mother Elna; brother in-law Art Thompson; sister Vi Seibert and his parents John and Helen Larson.





There will be a vigil at 7 p.m. Wednesday, January. 7 at Garden City Funeral Home, 1705 W. Broadway. A memorial Mass will be performed by Father Perry at St. Anthony Church at 11 a.m. Thursday, January. 8, with a reception to follow immediately in the St. Anthony Hall, 217 Tremont St.





In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the St. Jude’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., Candlelighters at Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital, P.O. Box 8031, Spokane, WA 99203 or donor’s choice.





A Life Well-Lived is a legacy of joy and pride and pleasure, a loving, lasting memory our grateful hearts will treasure.




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