E.O. "Skip" Larson, Jr.

Mr. E. O. ‘Skip’ Larson, Jr., age 81, passed away Saturday, March 18 at his home in NC. Skip was born in Casper, Wyoming on July 21, 1941, to the late Emmons Oslar Larson and Mildred Johnson Larson. Skip was extremely proud of his Norwegian heritage and gave his children Norwegian names. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and received the Army Commendation Medal for providing entertainment to American troops. Skip served as the General Manager of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for 10 years. He also served as Manager of Ford’s Theater, Deputy Director for the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts and retired as the Deputy Associate Regional Director of the Department of the Interior National Park Service. Skip was a scene and set designer and builder for the Reston Community Players and was a longtime supporter and performer at the Maryland Youth Ballet. Surviving is his wife of 50 years, Michelle Lees Larson. Skip was “Papa” to his son, Peer Larson (Vivian) and daughter, Torva Larson Smith (Roger). He was a proud grandfather to Owen, Tate, Greta and Coraleigh. Also surviving is his sister, Linda Hoge (Bill). A celebration of life will be held at a later date in the D.C. area. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Maryland Youth Ballet Skip Larson Memorial Production Fund, 926 Ellsworth Dr., Silver Spring, MD 20912.