Richard Tate Larson II, 78 of Essex passed away on December 25, 2022 at his home surrounded by his loving family following a courageous battle with Leukemia.

Tate was born on August 27, 1944 in Shenandoah, Iowa, the son of Richard Tate and Shirley Beth (Varley) Larson.  He was the oldest of three children.  Tate grew up in Plattsmouth, Nebraska and graduated from Plattsmouth High School.  He obtained an Animal Science degree from Northwest Missouri State University.  He served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War.

On March 29, 1970 he was united in marriage to Carolyn Holmes.  Together they raised two children, Jennifer and Jonathan.  The family were members of Memorial Baptist Church in Shenandoah, where they were baptized.   During his working years he farmed with Carl LePorte and his sons for 10 years.  He then was hired by the Page County Soil and Water Conservation District in 1984.  He worked there until his retirement in 2009.  Tate loved to hunt, shoot trap with his friends and spend time with his family.

He was preceded in death by is parents, Richard and Shirley and grandparents, Forrest and Sadie Varley and John and Harriet Larson.  Those left to cherish his memory include is wife of 52 years Carolyn; daughter Jennifer Shepherd and husband Bob; granddaughter Sydney Shepherd; grandson Nathan Shepherd all of Tonganoxie, KS; son Jonathan Larson of Riverton, IA; brother Fred Larson and wife Jackie of Bedford, IA; nephew Shannon Larson and wife Kaycee of Rock Springs, WY and their children; niece Marisa Peltier and husband Brandon of Bedford, IA and their children; brother Steve Larson and wife Valerie of Rock Springs, WY; nieces Lori Larson and Heather Larson Carter ; nephews Jeremy Larson and Corey Larson and their families also of Rock Springs, WY; other relatives and many friends.

Memorial Graveside Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at the Essex Cemetery.  Memorials may be directed to the Essex Fire and Rescue Department.