Obituary of Maurice J. Larsen

Maurice J Larsen September 20 1931 - May 11, 2012 Maurice Larsen of Clackamas unexpectedly passed away on May 11. He was born to John and Minnie Larsen in Rapid Rocks, Iowa and grew up on a farm in Oldham, South Dakota during the Great Depression along with his older brother Lyal. After graduating from High School he traveled west looking for a better climate due to his asthma. He worked in Idaho, Montana and eventually settled in Portland, OR where he met his wife Alice and they were married for 55 years until his death. Maurice enjoyed a very successful banking career, which began at a local branch of First National Bank in SE Portland. He transferred to the main branch in Portland and took a position in the Data Processing division. He studied law at Lewis and Clark College and graduated from Pacific Coast Banking School from the University of Washington. His natural leadership skills were realized when he managed both the Data Processing Department and Central Operations. He was a long-time member of the Data Processing Management Assn., serving as President for two years. He initiated a check clearing process that eventually started the Oregon Automated Clearing House and he went on to be the President and served on the Board of Directors of the National Automated Clearing House. He was always passionate to help others in life and was one of the original founders of the Toastmasters Club of Portland. He served as the Chairman of the Oregon Bankers Association and also served on the Board of First Interstate Bankcard Co. and Visa. In cumulation, he retired from Wells Fargo as a Senior Vice President. After retirement, he gave back to the community by volunteering with the Sunnyside United Neighbors for over a decade. He served as Chairman for many of those years and was appointed to the Blue Ribbon Committee by Clackamas County Board of Commissioners. He also helped his oldest son Jeff with the daily operations of his printing business, building life long friendships with many customers and suppliers. Throughout his life he stayed in contact with family, friends and old classmates of Oldham SD, whom he cared about deeply. He naturally built strong relationships with people being a dependable, charismatic and genuinely optimistic person about the future. Maurice is survived by his wife of 55 years, Alice, two sons, Jeff (Linda) of Clackamas, Jim (Leslie) of Beaverton, daughter Susan of Walnut Creek, CA and numerous nieces and nephews. A service will be held at the Sunnyside Little Chapel of the Chimes at 3pm on June 1st, 2012. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the American Heart Association. Service Information