Christopher Laybourn Larson

Christopher Laybourn Larson of Montverde, Florida passed into glory on May 15, 2026, at the age of 69. Chris was born on March 12, 1957, in Cheboygan, Michigan, the son of Lambert and Mary Pat Larson. Chris was the middle child in a family of 5. He loved his siblings and always kept in close contact with them. As the son of a Coast Guardsman, his family had the opportunity to live in several states, including Michigan, California, Hawaii, Louisiana, and Massachusetts.

Chris graduated from Scituate High School in Massachusetts in 1976. After graduation he joined the Coast Guard. Upon returning, he began a job as Assistant Harbour Master in his hometown of Scituate. It was while working at this job that he met the love of his life, Donna. After they married, Chris took a position on the police force in Durham, New Hampshire. When his time as a police officer came to an end, he enrolled at Control Data Institute and stepped into the world of IT. He was working at EMC when the Lord called him into ministry. Following the call, he and his family moved to Florida so he could attend Luther Rice Seminary. Using his IT background, he began working at Westgate Resorts to provide for his family while in seminary. Chris’ first ministry call was as Associate Pastor at First Baptist Church of Rock Springs. He was later called to take the position of Lead Pastor. While ministering there he completed his Master of Arts in Ministry. Health forced Chris to leave the pulpit for a time. When his health stabilized, he re-entered ministry at First Baptist Church of Montverde as Pastor of Congregational Care. He helped the church navigate a name change to Embrace Church at Montverde. When God opened the door, Chris accepted the call to move into the Lead Pastor position.

Chris was a man full of life and humor. He loved fully, lived faithfully, and poured himself out in service of God and others. Chris’ great passion was studying, learning, talking about, and preaching the Word of God. He was a man fully devoted to God and his family. Chris loved any adventure with his wife and children. Some of our travel highlights include hiking in the White Mountains, visiting Yosemite National Park, driving the Blue Ridge Parkway, exploring Mesa Verde, and our fun trips to Vancouver Canada. When our grandchildren came along the adventure continued. He established yearly trips with them early on. Highlights of those excursions included watching the Chincoteague ponies swim the channel, enjoying the Ark Museum, Disney cruises, and a trip to Newfoundland. In addition to traveling with family, Chris always looked forward to our yearly trips with close friends.

His hobbies included hiking, rollerblading, kayaking, swimming, and biking.

His focus for the last few years has been to see Embrace Church at Montverde grow and flourish to be a lighthouse for the gospel in this area. God blessed that vision and began a new work.

Chris is survived by his wife: Donna Larson; children: Brant Larson, Lori Pearson (Dax), and Eric Larson; grandchildren: Grant Larson, Grace Larson, and Isaac Larson; brother: John Larson (Betty); sisters: Lisa Roberts (Mark), Holly Sledge (Jeff). In addition to his immediate family, Chis was son-in-law and brother-in-law to the Gavin family, including; mother-in-law: Lucy Gavin; brothers-in-law: Hughie Gavin (Sandy), and Christopher Gavin (Patty); sisters-in-law: Eva Hodges, and Susan Shean.

He was preceded in death by father: Lambert Larson; mother: Mary Pat Larson; and brother: Colin Larson.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donation be made to Embrace Church at Montverde to honor and support Chris’ passion as his vision for Trinity Hill Church launches as a lighthouse for the Gospel in and around Montverde.