Mark Larson, Founder and President of Rock River Arms, Has Passed

Rock River Arms has always been an innovator in the firearms world, recently developing AR-15-type rifles chambered in 7.62x39mm that accepts standard AK magazines as well as bufferless piston-driven ARs. They’ve also been working on a polymer and steel hybrid 1911 frame that cuts weight without affecting strength.

Sadly, Mark Larson, RRA’s president, left us over the weekend.

Mark was born November 25, 1962 in Moline, IL, the son of Lester and Lillian (Bekerian) Larson.  He was a 1981 graduate of J.D. Darnall High School in Geneseo and was united in marriage to Phyllis Gay Peasley on December 4, 1989 in Las Vegas, NV.  He was the co-founder, co-owner with his brother, and President of Rock River Arms, Inc. of Colona, IL.   Mark was a member of the NRA, OGCA, ISRA, and Illinois Firearms Manufactures Association.  He enjoyed mushrooming, fishing for crappies, gardening, his cars, and cooking and feeding his family and friends.  He loved his dogs, Daisy, Dozer, and Rowdy, and enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.

Survivors include  his wife: Gay; his parents: Lester and Lillian Larson of Cleveland, IL; 2 brothers and 1 sister-in-law: Michael Larson of Carbon Cliff and Lester C. “Chuck” (Melissa) Larson Jr. of Geneseo; 2 sisters and brothers-in-law: Lisa (Gary) Sides of Cleveland, IL and Linda (Jim) White of Cleveland, IL; 12 nieces and nephews: Chad, Jennie, Matt, Jeremy; Sara, Katie, Kenneth, Kassandra, Kyle, Jake, Trenton, and Logan; and 4 great nieces and nephews: Kaya, Gage, Paige, and Bradlee.

Mark was preceded in death by his grandparents, 2 uncles, 2 cousins, and loyal companion, Saddie.

On Friday, April 5, 2013 Rock River Arms President, Mark Larson passed away at the age of 50. Mark Larson, along with his brother Chuck, founded Rock River Arms in 1996 when they began producing high quality 1911-style pistols and AR-15 style rifles. Since that time, they have earned the reputation of building some of the most sought after firearms in the industry.

Visitation will be Tuesday, April 9th from 3-8pm, at Vandemore Funeral Home. Funeral services celebrating Mark’s life will be held on Wednesday, April 10th at 10:30am at Vandemore Funeral Home, Geneseo, Illinois. Memorials may be left to the Mark Larson Memorial Fund.

Wait times for RRA hardware are already long because of the recent buying frenzy, but lets all cut them some slack while they deal with their loss.

Our sincere condolences.

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