Junko Sako Larson

Junko Sako Larson October 11, 1958 – September 7, 2011 Junko was born in Fort Campbell, Kentucky to Minoru & Fumie Sako.  She graduated from Seaside High School in 1977 and the University of Phoenix in 2006 with a Bachelors degree in Business Management. Joining the United States Air Force in 1978, she served her country as a Law Enforcement Officer at Yokota Air Base in Japan.  She left as an Airman 1st Class to be a mother to her only child, Jessica.  Over the years of her life she worked as a nursing aide, police cadet, Air Force MP, Manager at Fairview Training Center and a Mental Health Therapist for the State of Oregon for the last 19 years.  She married Eric Larson on December 20, 1996 in Salem, OR.  She was a member of SEIU 503, The NRA and The Amateur Radio Relay League.  She also supported the V.F. W. and Olympic Shooting.  Her most paramount achievement in her life was how she battled her PMP Type Appendix cancer.  When told by her husband she had only days remaining, She only smiled and told him “Don’t let life bog you down”.  She is survived by her husband, Eric and daughter Jessica Ann Smith, granddaughter Gema Jean Edell who were both the centers of her universe.  A celebration of her life will be held Saturday, September 17, 1:00 P.M. at Weddle Funeral Chapel.  In lieu of flowers it was her wish for donations to be made to www.pmpawareness.org/fundraising.htm. Arrangements entrusted to Weddle Funeral Services Stayton, OR.