TODD KIM LARSEN
Todd Kim Larsen was born August 28, 1966, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Kim and Geri Larsen. He passed away at City of Hope Hospital in Duarte, California, on Oct. 16, 2010. Todd was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on September 18, 2009, and died from complications following a bone marrow transplant. Todd spent his first seven years in Utah, Idaho, Washington and Oregon because of business opportunities being offered to his father. The traveling finally came to an end in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The first glimpse of what would soon become a long list of talents appeared when Todd was 8 years old. He ran for the Duke City Dashers which was, at the time, the #1 youth track team in the nation. He continued participating in numerous types of athletics throughout his schooling, but his true talent was in Track and Field. During his senior year at Alta High School in Sandy, Utah, he set the state quarter mile record, which remained unchallenged for a number of years. This accomplishment earned him a full ride scholarship to Brigham Young University. During that same year, Todd participated in the National High School Decathalon Championships, where he took 2nd place. The fascinating story that comes out of that decathalon competition occurred during several hours between the two-day event. The young man who placed 1st took lessons from Todd in improving his height in the pole vault. The consequence was—Todd came in 2nd place. Always a teacher and definitely a great sport! As a boy, Todd was very active in scouting, obtaining his “Arrow of Light” award in Cub Scouting and then his “Eagle” award in Boy Scouting at the young age of 13.
Todd was voted “The Most Talented” by his high school senior class. He possessed profound musical abilities and was active in many musical groups and school choirs. Additionally, from his early teen years until 2005, Todd was a member of several performing rock bands. Shortly after college Todd moved with his family to Mesa, Arizona, where he enjoyed working as the assistant track and field coach at Mesa Community College. During this same period, he coached the Alta Mesa Marlins, a youth swim team. A few years later he coached the Val Vista Gators, a swim team in Chandler,
Arizona. Also during his years in Arizona, Todd organized, arranged music for and performed in a 7 man a cappella vocal group called “Reliance.” He had a love for musical theatre, starring two different years in “Westside Story” and, in “Anything Goes” while in college. Todd then moved to Southern California where he performed for a year as a singer in Disneyland's “The Hunchback Of Notre Dame.” He then had the opportunity to portray many characters at Tokyo Disneyland, including Prince Charming and Bert from Mary Poppins. After his return from Japan, he coached swimming for the club team, Novaquatics. He also coached for the Irvine Swim League, first for the Heritage Park Seals and then, for the past seven years, the Northpark Riptide. In 2007, he was the recipient of the Irvine Swim League Coach of the Year award. Todd applied his vast musical talent to teaching Orange County youth when he began offering private music lessons in 2002. Purely by word of mouth, what started as a small hobby quickly turned into a growing business. Todd created a private music school, the Irvine Music Academy, where he offered private lessons in guitar, bass, drums, piano and vocals. His focus was not only on fostering talent in young musicians but also on teaching them about the music business. Through auditions, he created multiple skill-based youth bands. In their respective bands, the students were taught responsibility and time management as well as collaboration and communication skills. Whether coaching, swimming, or teaching music, Todd loved working with “his kids.” Todd and his wife, Kelly, were married in Phoenix, Arizona, on April 22, 2006. They were blessed with many beautiful years together and thousands of priceless memories. He is survived by his wife, Kelly, his 22-month-old son, Garrett, his canine companion, Molly, his parents, Kim and Geri Larsen, his brother, Tyler Larsen, and his sisters, Tiffany (Joseph) Hale and Tina (Ryan) Pini. Todd will be missed by everyone who knew him and loved him.
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