Lafayette, California – Jake “Papa Jake” Larson, a D-Day veteran, beloved storyteller, and social media sensation, passed away peacefully at his home on July 17, 2025, at the age of 102. Revered for both his service in World War II and his late-in-life rise to TikTok fame, Larson leaves behind a legacy of resilience, humor, and humility that touched millions.
Nicknamed “The Luckiest Man in the World,” Larson’s life was one of improbable survival and heartfelt storytelling. He was one of the last living veterans to have landed on Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944, enduring heavy German gunfire and navigating deadly terrain during one of history’s most pivotal military operations. “I’m not a hero,” he would say. “I’m a ‘hereto’—here to tell you about those who paved the way.”
From Depression-Era Farm Boy to D-Day Planner
Born on December 20, 1922, in Owatonna, Minnesota, Jake Larson grew up on a farm during the Great Depression, one of eight children in a family that struggled to make ends meet. At 15, he lied about his age and joined the Minnesota National Guard, marking the start of a military career that would place him at the heart of World War II.
A skilled typist — a rare asset at the time — Larson eventually served in the V Corps G3 section, helping prepare the invasion orders for Operation Overlord. His role as an operations sergeant was instrumental in planning the D-Day invasion. He survived the ill-fated Operation Tiger, fought in the Battle of the Bulge, and narrowly escaped death on multiple occasions.
A Post-War Life Filled with Peace and Purpose
Following the war, Larson married Lola, his lifelong partner, and moved to California, where they raised a family. In retirement, he often returned to Normandy, celebrated as a living legend at the 75th and 81st D-Day anniversaries.
His later years were marked by what he called “miracles” — a fall that seemingly cured his PTSD tremors, an eye operation that ended his lifelong colorblindness, and a growing global fanbase he never expected.
From the Battlefield to TikTok
In 2020, his granddaughter McKaela Larson began posting short videos of her grandfather under the TikTok handle @storytimewithpapajake. With a mix of sharp memory, endearing warmth, and unfiltered humor, Papa Jake quickly became a viral phenomenon. His platform amassed 1.2 million followers and over 11 million likes, as viewers tuned in to hear him recount war stories and life lessons with timeless charm.
In 2024, he used his digital platform to call on world leaders to “make peace, not war.”
His 2021 autobiography, The Luckiest Man in the World: Stories from the Life of Papa Jake, co-authored with Rita Carlson, became a bestseller for its accessible tone and heartfelt reflections.
A Nation and the Internet Pay Tribute
Tributes have poured in from across the United States and Normandy, where officials from the Overlord Museum remembered him as a “bridge across generations.” The French government, which awarded him the Legion of Honor, also expressed condolences, as did U.S. veterans groups and fans worldwide.
“He passed away cracking jokes till the end,” McKaela shared. “As Papa would say, ‘Love you all the mostest.’”
Jake is survived by his son Kurt Larson, granddaughter McKaela, and extended family. Funeral arrangements are pending, and details on additional survivors were not immediately available.
Legacy of a ‘Hereto’
Jake Larson’s story is one of courage, loss, survival, and storytelling — not just through history books, but in the way he lived and shared his truth. Whether on the beaches of Normandy or on a phone screen in a teenager’s hand, Papa Jake reminded the world why history matters — and how humanity shines through it.
As the world bids farewell to one of its last WWII heroes, it also honors a man who never asked for the spotlight but embraced it with grace.
Rest in peace, Papa Jake. You truly were the luckiest — and loved — man in the world.
