[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 15, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E36-E37]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN MEMORY OF CHUCK LARSEN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 15, 2025

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, the Midlands of South 
Carolina is humbled to remember President Chuck Larsen of the Greater 
Irmo Chamber of Commerce. With his leadership, the Chamber has been so 
effective promoting small businesses for creating jobs and 
opportunities, now led by President Kerry Powers.
  I especially appreciate his achievements as a member of the Chamber 
evolving from the Irmo Business and Professional Association. In 2001, 
I was grateful to be selected as the first Irmo Chamber Ambassador of 
the Year with my predecessor Armed Services Committee Chairman Floyd 
Spence attending.
  Celebrating the life of Chuck Larsen, services were conducted by 
Reverend Andrew Davis of the St. Andrews Presbyterian Church at Dunbar 
Funeral Home of Irmo with a thoughtful eulogy by Don Gilbert of Chapin 
and a musical remembrance of ``Danny Boy'' by Ted Lightle.
  The program of the services featured an inspiring obituary,

       ``Charles ``Chuck'' Larsen, Sr., 96, passed away January 5, 
     2024. Chuck was born in 1928 in Pensacola, Florida to Karl 
     and Alma Bishop Larsen.
       At an early age, Chuck had a radio show where he performed, 
     sang, and tap danced. This was the start of his lifetime love 
     of music and dance. In Chuck's early twenties, in the big 
     band era, he started the Chuck Larsen Band in Pensacola, 
     Florida which toured in the west Florida area.
       Chuck attended Pensacola Junior College and Furman 
     University before serving in the Navy and was an Air Force 
     veteran of the Korean War.
       Chuck had a varied career in business and politics working 
     for Monsanto in South Carolina and various politicians 
     including South Carolina senators and governors. He received 
     numerous awards and commendations from the South Carolina 
     Senate and House of Representatives for his service to the 
     state including the South Carolina Order of the Palmetto.
       Chuck was instrumental in the formation of the Greater Irmo 
     Chamber of Commerce and worked with the Chamber for over 20 
     years. Chuck served as the President and Executive Director 
     of the Greater Irmo Chamber of Commerce and retired at the 
     age of 80. Chuck was well known in Irmo through his work with 
     the Greater Irmo Chamber of Commerce, Okra Strut Festival, 
     and Miss Irmo pageants. Chuck was commonly known as ``Mr. 
     Irmo.'' He picked this up due to his active support of the 
     Chamber as well as all the activities in Irmo.
       Chuck was preceded in death by his wife of 46 years Merlyne 
     ``Mert'' Thornton Larsen; daughter-in-law Sharon Renee Baker 
     Larsen; and great-grandson Kage Archer Larsen. He is survived 
     by sons Charles Lars Larsen, Jr. (Jamie) and James Karl 
     Larsen; grandchildren Karl (Heather), Kevin (Kristin), 
     Jessica Mitchum (Chase), Kyle (Courtney) and Justin (Maggie); 
     and great-grandchildren June Mitchum and Rheese Larsen.
       A viewing will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 pm on 
     Thursday, January 9 at Dunbar Funeral Home in Irmo, South 
     Carolina. A funeral service will be held Friday, January 10, 
     2025 at 2 p.m. at the Dunbar Funeral Home Dutch Fork Chapel 
     in Imo, South Carolina, 7600 Woodrow Street.
       In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Tunnel 
     to Towers Foundation or the local Irmo based charity of your 
     choice.''

[[Page E37]]

  

                          ____________________