Bernice Jay "B.J." Larson

          Bernice Jay “B.J.”  Larson passed away Thursday, November 3, 2022, at his home, surrounded by his loved ones.  A private family graveside memorial service was held Monday, November 14, 2022, at the Lexington Cemetery, entrusted to the care of Wadley’s Funeral Service. 
    
         B.J. was born December 25, 1942, in Oklahoma City to Orphis Jay “Monk” and Norma Jean (Booker) Pritchett.  He was adopted by his stepdad Marvin Larson at age 4 and then the family moved to Geneva, Illinois.  While in Geneva, B.J. met his high school sweetheart Sally Andrews, and were married October 20, 1961.  They established a home in St. Charles, Illinois, where they welcomed three children.  B.J. always loved hot rods and fast cars, which lead him to build, own and race his own dragster.  In 1970 they moved to Grand Junction, Colorado and enjoyed raising their family, with hobbies like 4-wheeling, horseback riding, hunting and fishing. In 1979 they moved to Slaughterville, Oklahoma where B.J. started the sport of roping, continued fishing, and attended his children’s activities.  After 22 years of civilian service, B.J. retired from Tinker AFB and enjoyed traveling abroad, camping, fishing and watching his grandkids activities. 
    
          B.J. is preceded in death by his wife of 46 years, Sally Larson; his parents, Monk and Norma Jean Pritchett; his infant grandson, Chase Hisel. Survivors include his daughter, Kim Venner and husband, Dale of Marion, Iowa; his daughter, Kelly Hisel of Rockwall, Texas; and his son, Brad Larson and wife, Karissa of Lexington, Oklahoma; his grandchildren,  Channelle Tyrrell, Chane Venner, Cameron Larson, McKenna Clark-Covey, Jayden Hisel; and his great-grandson, Treyton Tyrrell.

    The family request donations be made in B.J.’s name, to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at https://fundraising.stjude.org and using the search term “Larson.”