It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Joseph Albert Larkin on October 24, 2024 at the age of 73 at his home in Boise, Idaho.
Joe was born in 1951 in Caldwell, Idaho, to Jack and Mary Larkin, but spent most of his childhood growing up in Lacrosse, Washington with his parents and his brothers, Dan and Ed. He received a basketball scholarship to Spokane Falls Community College, where he also played football. He then transferred to Boise State University to continue playing football and set records for career and single season interceptions. From there he would go on to several NFL training camps and a stint on the BC Lions in the Canadian Football League.
After football, Joe worked as a disaster appraiser for the government, during which time the eruption of Mount St. Helens would bring him back to Washington. It was there that he was reunited with Julie Gordon, who he had dated as a sophomore in high school. The two would marry and have two children before moving to Boise in 1989. There he began a long career in real estate advertising.
An avid outdoorsman, Joe instilled in his sons a love of camping, hunting, and fishing, and took every opportunity to take advantage of the rugged Idaho wilderness. He was also fiercely supportive of his sons’ athletic endeavors, and was often a fixture on sidelines with his video camera both at home or on the road at the many away games that he and Julie attended. Joe will also be remembered for his love of cooking and making sure guests in his home would always leave borderline uncomfortably full.
Joe is preceded in death by his father, Jack, his mother, Mary, and his brother, Dan. He is survived by his wife, Julie, his sons Mike (Nicole) and Matt (Caitlin), his grandchildren James and Remy, his brother Ed, and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to a charity of your choice.
A graveside service will be held, 11:00 am, Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at Dry Creek Cemetery, 9600 Hill Rd., Boise, Idaho.