Rev. Neils H. Larsen Jr.

Old Fort - Rev. Neils Henry Larsen, Jr., 84, of 111 West Carson Street, went to be with his Lord, Tuesday November 25, 2003 at his residence following a period of declining health. Rev. Larsen was born in Patchogue, Long Island, NY December 13, 1918. He attended school in Riverhead, Long Island graduating from High School in 1937. He accepted Christ as his Saviour at the age of five. At the age of 17 he felt called by the Lord to preach. Feeling the need for preparation he enrolled and graduated from Columbia Bible College in Columbia, SC. After graduating he enrolled in Eastern College and then Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. At college he met Dorothy Bannister and they were married at Merrimon Avenue Baptist Church in Asheville on August 25, 1942 where Mrs. Larsen was a charter member. Later on Neils was ordained by the church. During his 50 years in the ministry he served the following churches, Riverside Baptist Church in Asheville, Clinchfield Baptist Church in Marion, Central Baptist Church in Spruce Pine, Enka Baptist Church in Enka and Ridgecrest Baptist Church in Ridgecrest. During these years he helped with Clinics and teaching for N.C. State Sunday School Board when L.L. Morgan was director, He also taught at Fruitland Bible Institute. He was on the General Board of the N. C. State Convention. He was moderator for Blue Ridge Association from 1955-56. Since retirement in 1986 he has been interim pastor of the following churches, Hankins, Bethel, Pleasant Gardens and East Marion Baptist Churchs in the Blue Ridge Association and Central Baptist Church in the Mitchell Association. For many years he taught the January Bible Study in many churches and was known as a Bible Scholar. He was also known for his expository preaching of the Bible. Rev. Larsen has been the pastor of many retired missionaries and ministers during his pastorate at Ridgecrest. Rev. Larsen served on the McDowell County Council on Aging and in August 1992 was chosen, along with his wife, Senior Citizens of the Month. Humor and joy have been part of his life as he tried to live out the verse in Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. This is his testimony: I am not what I ought to be. I am not what I wish to be. I am not even what I hope to be, but by Gods grace and Christs love, I am not what I was! Rev. Larsen was a son of the late Neils Henry Larsen, Sr. and Ethel Mae Terry Larsen. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Ethel Teuber. Surviving are his wife, Dorothy Bannister Larsen of the home; brother, Joseph T. Larsen of Collinsville, IL; niece Sandy Kelly; nephews, John and Robert Teuber. Graveside service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Ridgecrest Cemetery with Mr. Edward Fortag officiating. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday at Anders-Rice Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at Pleasant Gardens Baptist Church of which he was a member with the Rev. Jerry Allen, Rev. Eugene Lawing and Mr. Bill Hodge officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of McDowell County, 218 Logan Street, Marion, N.C. 28752.