Jake Larson, a World Struggle II veteran who stormed Omaha Seaside on D-Day, was identified to his household and associates as “Papa Jake,” a good-natured grandfather and avid storyteller.
However due to a vastly well-liked social media presence, Larson’s tales and optimism have been additionally shared on-line with tens of millions of followers and followers.
Larson died July 17 on the age of 102, in response to his social media accounts, that are managed by his granddaughter McKaela Larson.
“Please know, he went peacefully and was even cracking jokes until the very finish,” she stated within the submit.
Larson’s web fame began with the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to self-isolation efforts, McKaela, a cruise ship dancer, spent an excessive amount of her time within the household’s Martinez, Calif., dwelling together with her grandfather. That’s when she created his TikTok account, in response to relations.
Jake Larson smiles at Disneyland, the place he was names an Honorary Citizen, on Nov. 24, 2024.
(From Mike Larson)
It grew to become vastly well-liked. The TikTok account, @storytimewithpapajake, amassed greater than 1 million followers and over 11 million likes.
His massive following meant Larson’s tales have been shared worldwide. Along with a large on-line following, he lately received an Emmy for an interview concerning the anniversary of D-Day with CNN. Final July, he was invited on stage at a Zac Brown live performance on the Oakland Coliseum. In November, he visited Disneyland for the primary time, the place he was named an Honorary Citizen.
On his TikTok account, Larson typically described himself because the luckiest man on the planet.
The tales he instructed on the account ranged from the scary to the hopeful.
He recounted climbing off of the ramp of the boat that dropped him off on Omaha Seaside on June 6, 1944, and watching his fellow troops step in land mines whereas making an attempt to keep away from German machine-gun hearth. “I used to be extra afraid of stepping on a mine than I used to be of the gunfire coming at us,” he stated in a 2022 submit.
In one other TikTok submit, Larson is requested for one of the best recommendation he ever acquired. “Don’t ever surrender,” he stated. “At all times do one of the best you possibly can in life.”
Out of the 16.4 million Individuals who served in World Struggle II, solely 66,143 have been nonetheless residing as of 2024, in response to the Nationwide WWII Museum.
Members of the family described Larson as an infinitely compassionate and optimistic soul who was at all times “fast to inform you how a lot he loves you,” his granddaughter Krista Paulson stated in an interview with The Instances.
His grandkids have been desirous to recall recollections and anecdotes about their Papa Jake. Many commenters on Larson’s account thanked his household for sharing him with them.
“He made individuals really feel like they have been part of his household,” Paulson stated. “It’s loopy to simply share him … to have the ability to say that he was ours, however so proud to know that everybody needed to be part of his life.”
On his TikTok web page, Larson typically shared tales about his time within the U.S. Military, the place he was a workers sergeant. However lots of his grandkids didn’t hear these tales rising up.
“He wasn’t comfy speaking about it,” his grandson Mike Larson stated. “As a result of, let’s be trustworthy, again in his day, nobody talked about PTSD … As soon as he began opening up, I believe it helped him.”
Mike Larson stated he believed his grandfather’s presence on TikTok allowed different veterans to just accept that there’s a life after their navy service. He recounted a time at Disneyland, when a person serving within the Marine Corps hovered round Jake and his household, who have been making ready for a photograph shoot. Mike Larson stated he acknowledged that the person was within the service and provided to introduce him to his grandfather.
After a hearty dialog, the person reached out his hand, and Larson instantly pulled him into an enormous hug. Mike stated he noticed tears streaming down the Marine’s face.
“Folks don’t notice that, you by no means know what that man was going by way of,” Mike stated, breaking down in tears. “That one dialog might’ve saved that man’s life.”
Larson’s on-line presence additionally signifies that his household can return to his posts and relive his tales and heat documented in lots of of movies.
Paulson stated that when the household returned from the hospital after Larson’s demise, she heard her oldest youngster crying on the sofa. He had been rewatching Larson’s TikTok movies.
“I believe you possibly can’t sum it up in every other means,” Mike stated. “He was the luckiest man alive.”
