Paul Larson, a lifetime resident of Turlock, passed away after a long illness at Alexander Hospice House surrounded by family. Paul was born to Paul and Dorothy Larson in Turlock, living his younger years on the family ranch. He and his wife, Rebecca “Becky,” were married on October 2, 1999 in Carson City, Nevada. Paul was a businessman in the valley and co-owner of Orchard Park Center in Ceres. He retired in 2018. Football was a big part of Paul’s life. He was a quarterback for Turlock High School and won the state championship in 1949. After high school, Larson played quarterback for the University of California from 1951 until 1954 in which he earned first team All American Honors in 1954. Paul was inducted to the Cal Hall of Fame in 1994. Paul was drafted by the Chicago Cardinals in 1954 and in 1960 by the Oakland Raiders. In 1955 and 1956, Paul played football for the Fort Ord Warriors while in the Army. Paul’s connection with Cal’s Alumni Foundation, Pappy’s Boys, enabled him to spearhead a project that for several years took busloads of middle school kids from the valley to Cal to tour the Berkeley campus and to experience a collegiate football game. In addition to football, horses and team roping were a big part of Paul’s life. He was a lifetime member and past president of the Turlock Horsemen’s Club. He was a member of the Lutheran Church.

Some of his many accomplishments include: C.I.F. State Football Player of the year in 1949, 5th in Heisman Trophy voting in 1954, Sportsman of Stanislaus Hall of Fame in 1990, Turlock High School Hall of Fame, 10th elected President of Pappy’s Boys in 2003, Sac-Joaquin Section Hall of Fame in 2012, Glenn T. Seaborg Award in 2015, and Multi-Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame in 2022.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Dorthy; and his brother, Phillip Larson.

Paul is survived by his wife, Becky; his children, David (Tina) Larson, Pamela Rogers (Arman), Jeffrey (Kathy) Larson, and Shannon (David) Rowan; his brother, Charles Larson; 11 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.

A funeral service is being held on Monday, November 21, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at Turlock Funeral Home, in the Main Chapel. Following the service, Paul will be laid to rest at Turlock Memorial Park.

The family asks that donations be made in Paul’s honor to Alzheimer’s Association.