Lloyd Wesley Larson passed away Sept. 6, 2012, in Santa Cruz, Calif., at the age of 89.

Born on Sept. 20, 1922, in San Mateo, Calif., Lloyd spent his younger years in nearby Millbrae, where he enjoyed the open spaces of that then-rural town. He excelled in athletics, music, and academics and in Millbrae met and married Jean, his wife of 52 years.

Following graduation from Burlingame High School in 1940, he attended San Mateo Junior College, but World War II intervened and he joined the Navy. He Was stationed briefly in Idaho and Maryland where he graduated as an athletic specialist. He was then stationed in San Diego, where he trained recruits as their company commander.

After the Navy, in 1946 Lloyd continued his higher education by receiving a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from San Francisco State. Then it was back to San Diego and the position of playground director at University Heights, a renowned park.

He returned to Millbrae in 1950 and became playground director there before accepting an elementary school teaching position in Kelseyville in 1952. Lloyd also became coach of just about everything at the school and was an immediate and lasting success.

Over 17 years his teams were remarkable – win streaks of 51 and 35 games in basketball, overwhelming in flag football, track athletes dominant in local events and then successful at the Junior Olympics. Later he coached Kelseyville High School baseball and his excellent record was highlighted by a squad with an 18-game win streak. He also coached high school golf and for good measure some Little League and softball.

Although the win-loss records were incredible, Lloyd’s coaching was much more than that. He had sincere concern for all of his players, making sure that they all got playing time and encouraging all of them. His players always knew him as “Coach” and it was a term of both respect and endearment.

L1oyd’s coaching achievements were matched by academic success. He was an outstanding classroom teacher and became the school principal in 1962 and retired in 1982.

In his later years, after Jean had passed away in 1998, Lloyd lived in Capitola with his second wife Margaret, also a Millbrae girl. There they enjoyed walks on the beach and in the village, local restaurants, musical performances, and pleasant times with family and friends.

Throughout his life Lloyd was an inspiration to everyone he met, and especially to his own family, in mutual devotion. He is survived by his wife of 13 years, Margaret, and her children, Jo Ann, Jim (Debbie), Janet, and Jeff (Lisa), and their families; his sister, June Lyerla (Gerry); sister-in-law, Clarice Hart; his children, Larry (Gail), Torn, (Kellie) and Lori; and grandchildren, Jeff, Gabrielle, Arielle and Bosten Lloyd Larson, and Justin (Michelle) and Tina Dominiak. Lloyd also had numerous nieces and nephews for whom he had great affection.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Ethel and Albert; wife, Jean; brother, Burt and his wife Mildred; sisters, Lillian and Romera; and brother-in-law, Walter.

There will be a celebration of life Saturday, Sept. 22, at 1 p.m. at Lloyd Larson Field in Kelseyville. The field was dedicated to Lloyd on March 20, 2005, and was one of his finest moments.