George K.

Larsen Ii

George Keefe Larsen, M.D., was born on November 8, 1937, and passed away on October 31, 2015, with his family by his side. He had a love of life, the pursuit of knowledge, running, hiking, traveling, and protecting the environment - attributes which he has passed onto his children whom he loved dearly. He will be greatly missed but never forgotten. As a man of many talents and interests, Dr. Larsen pursued multiple careers during his lifetime, succeeding as a physician, legislator, engineer, executive, and honored military veteran. After graduating from Emory University in 1963, he got his start at IBM as a computer systems engineer. While employed with IBM, he also attended Georgia State University and the Medical College of Georgia to obtain the necessary degrees to begin his life-long dream of practicing medicine. He had a 17-year career with IBM, eventually becoming a physician and medical director for the company. In 1971, while still employed with IBM, Dr. Larsen was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives, representing Fulton County District 113th and later 27th. Republican colleagues elected him as Minority Whip in 1975, in honor of his distinguished service and leadership. During his 3 terms in the Legislature, he sponsored many bills, primarily those involving environmental conservation, public health, and laws that protected the freedoms of Georgia citizens. Those bills included the Georgia Scenic Trails Act, Georgia Scenic Rivers Bill, Metropolitan River Protection Act, Chattahoochee River Protection Act, Landlord - Tenant Act, Smoking in Public Places Prohibited Law, and Repealed Racially Mixed Marriage Act. Dr. Larsen was actively involved in leadership activities in multiple non-profit associations, holding positions as Director of the Georgia Lung Association, Chairman of Governor's Council on Fitness and Health, and VP of Georgia Society for Prevention of Blindness. He was also chosen for Leadership Atlanta and awarded the Conservation Legislator of the Year by the Georgia Wildlife Federation during his term in office. At the end of Dr. Larsen's third term, he gave up his seat in the House in order to attend the Medical College of Georgia, where he was president of his medical class all four years. After graduation, he served his internship at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. He spent the next 20 years as a family practice physician and medical director, caring for communities throughout the United States. A highlight of his medical career was his service as the Regional Medical Officer with the Department of Defense, assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, where he was responsible for traveling to different countries in Latin America and taking care of American and foreign national employees. As someone who loved to travel, practice medicine, and serve his country, this appointment embodied the culmination of his aspirations. Dr. George Larsen was a proud member of the armed forces and dedicated himself to military service throughout his life. After high school graduation, he served as a paratrooper for the 101st Airborne in the U.S. Army for three years before attending Emory University. In 1988, he returned to military service and joined the US Air Force Reserve, 910th Medical Squadron. During his tenure he achieved the status of Flight Surgeon, Chief of Clinical Services, Chairman of Aerospace Medicine Council, and graduate of the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine. In addition to the Reserve, he served active duty during Desert Storm, where he earned a National Defense Medal. He retired from military service in 2003 as a Lt. Colonel. Dr. Larsen is survived by his beloved family: son, Dr. George Keefe Larsen III (Brittany) of Aiken, SC; daughters, Bridget Larsen (Ryan Leverette) of Watkinsville, GA, Megan Larsen Popp (Taylor) of Cumming, GA, Kathy Larsen Wilker (Dana) of Northwood, IA; sister, Barbara Borrelli (Anthony) of Chester, NJ; niece, Dr. Belinda Borrelli (Steve Riesinger) of Boston, MA; nephew A.J. Borrelli (Meredith), of Long Valley, NJ; and close friends, Robbie Zell of Decatur, GA and Lynne Woods of Knoxville, TN. Dr. Larsen also left behind seven grandchildren: Oliver, Juliet, Brooklynn, Beckett, Blakely, Amanda, and Mitchell; three great-grandchildren, Ava, Damian, and Charlie; and great-nephew, Christopher and great-niece, Lorelai. He was preceded in death by his father, George Keefe Larsen, mother Carole Verdi Larsen, and brother, Richard B. Larsen. The funeral service will be held Friday, November 6th at 10 a.m. at the Lakeside Funeral Home, Woodstock, GA, followed at noon by a full military honors memorial service at the Georgia National Cemetery, Canton, GA. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, or that you participate in a local charity 5k race in his honor. Those wishing to send online condolences may do so at www.lakesidefuneralhomega.com Lakeside Funeral Home, 121 Claremore Drive, Woodstock, GA. 30188, 770) 293-2757, is handling the arrangements.