It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of John David Larkin of Portland, Oregon on January 30, 2023. Born August 30, 1945 in Prairie City, Oregon to James and Mathia (Ellen) Larkin, John was a devoted husband to his late wife Diana. He was a caring father to his sons, Troy and Matthew Larkin, and his step-children, Douglass, David, and Kathleen Gunderson. John was especially proud of his grandchildren and great grandchildren who affectionately knew him as Poppie John.
John spent most of his formative years growing up in a large blended family on their homestead in Canyon City near John Day, Oregon. It was there that his father and older brothers taught him to camp, fish, and hunt – activities which he would enjoy for his entire life. He graduated from John Day High school where he was noted for his athleticism in football and track.
Following high school, John enlisted in the US Army where he served in the Vietnam war as a member of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Sky Soldiers. He served with honor earning both the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Upon returning to the states he moved to Portland, Oregon and met his first wife, Debra Larkin with whom he had two sons. He soon joined the Portland Police Bureau where he built a career as a patrol officer and founded a crime analysis unit that brought together empiric data analysis with his hard-earned street knowledge of criminal activity. His police work was recognized with the honor of being named Police Officer of the Year – twice! He was known as an especially compassionate police officer who took extra care in protecting the most poor and vulnerable within the city. After retiring from the Portland Police Bureau, he served as an officer at the Portland Veteran’s Hospital where he was known as the “Candy Cop” for handing out treats to help establish bonds with veterans in crisis and the clinical staff who cared for them.
John met Diana Darby (1946-2022) and they were married in 1988. A second marriage for both, they worked to raise their children, welcome grandchildren and contribute to their community. They lived in various locations within Oregon including Gresham, Troutdale, Sandy, and Seaside. They eventually settled into retirement in the coastal town of Lincoln City, Oregon where John was quite content to spend his mornings with a cup of coffee and a cigarette hand-feeding apples to the local deer. John and Diana filled their final years together spending time with their families, volunteering for Meals on Wheels, and traveling to Hawaii and Great Britain with their best friends Dick and Dawn Morris.
John will be laid to rest at Willamette National Cemetery (11800 SE Mt Scott Blvd, Happy Valley, OR 97086) with Military and Police Honors on Tuesday – February 28, 2023 at 11:00AM. Guests are invited to a Celebration of Life luncheon held on the same day at Aerie at Eagle Landing from 12:00PM to 3:00PM (10220 SE Causey Ave, Happy Valley, OR 97086).