Alan Lee Larson, 76, passed away peacefully on June 29, 2022, in Chattanooga.
He was a gentle soul, devoted to his family. He was born in Lincoln, Ne., on January 21, 1946, to Carl E. Larson and Alice I. Southard Larson. He attended public schools, graduating from Lincoln Northeast High School in 1964.
He graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1968 with a B.A. in economics, earning Phi Beta Kappa honors and a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship.
He and Jean Kimes, also from Lincoln, were married in 1968. They moved to Manhattan, Kansas, to attend Kansas State University, where Alan earned a Ph.D. in Economics in 1973.
They relocated to Chattanooga in 1973 when Alan joined the faculty of the School of Business at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. As their family grew, Alan became employed by TVA, where he worked with load forecasting until his retirement.
Alan loved teaching economic theory. He enthusiastically appreciated classical music, often sitting in his chair directing the orchestra himself. A perennial fan of Nebraska and Kansas State football, he also immensely enjoyed the game of soccer, actively coaching his boys’ teams and working to become a certified referee. He took pride in participating in so many activities with his boys. Alan also loved railroads, trains and John Deere tractors. He volunteered at the Tennessee Railroad Museum for many years after his retirement and delighted in sharing stories to entertain museum visitors.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Gary E. Larson, and his sister, Marjean L. Gingrich.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Jean, his sons Jonathan Andrew Larson (Denise) and Michael Aaron Larson of Chattanooga, and Erik Alan Larson (Briana) of Roanoke, Va. He leaves behind seven grandchildren: Mathilda McSpadden, Maddux Mills, Olivia Mills, Elsie Larson, Avery Larson, James Larson, and Evelyn Larson. Several cousins, nieces and nephews also survive.
A gathering for remembrance and celebration of Alan’s life will be held Saturday, July 9, from 1-3 p.m. at Hamilton Funeral Home. Burial will be private.
Arrangements are entrusted to The Hamilton Funeral Home, 4506 Hixson Pike, Hixson, Tn. 423 531-3975.