By Amy Batista, Special Writer
MYRTLE BEACH, SOUTH CAROLINA — Former Board of Education President Darren Larsen, 46, died suddenly from an apparent heart attack Wednesday afternoon while vacationing with his family in South Carolina, according to officials there.
Mr. Larsen suffered a heart attack on his way to the 4th Avenue beach in the City of Myrtle Beach Wednesday afternoon and was transported by the local emergency responders from the City of Myrtle Beach Fire and Rescue to the Grand Strand Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 2:35 p.m., according to Darris Fowler, Deputy Coroner of Horry County in South Carolina.
”Witness accounts appear that he suffered a cardiac event,” Mr. Fowler said. “It’s just sad that he didn’t make it.”
Mr. Fowler said Mr. Larsen was in the beach access when he had the cardiac event and collapsed. Mr. Fowler said 911was called and he was then transferred to the hospital. He also said it was his “understanding” the Lester Memorial Home in Jamesburg is handling the arrangements for the family.
Mr. Larsen served on the board for six years and resigned his seat and position as president in May, citing “personal reasons.”
”Those who choose to serve the public are eventually faced with a big decision. Continue with their public service, or choose to serve their family. Sometimes, that line becomes blurry and both can be accomplished with some degree of effectiveness. That line does not remain blurry for long, and at some point, it becomes clear what needs to be done,” Mr. Larsen said in his resignation letter in May. “Those who choose anything above their family once that line becomes clear are doing a greater disservice to themselves and to those they love than any good they are doing for the public they represent. Public service is an honor and privilege, but family is a much greater honor and responsibility and means so much more in the long run than anything else ever could.”
Jamesburg Schools Superintendent Gail Verona said Thursday that Mr. Larsen had served on the panel since April 2006, and that she was “saddened” by the news.
”Our prayers and well wishes go out to his wife, children, family members and friends,” Ms. Verona said. “Jamesburg has lost a truly exceptional community member who knew what and how to serve in the interests of the whole community.”
Mr. Larsen unsuccessfully ran for Mayor this past election in November, losing to Marlene Lowande.
Ms. Lowande could not be reached for comment Thursday.
”He was a very easy guy to be with,” said close friend Gregory Newton of Jamesburg. “Big hearted guy I really thought of him as the heart of the community, always part of things that were happening. There was no length that he would not go through to try to give the children of Jamesburg the best education that we could certainly afford.”
Mr. Larsen formed a group for his community called Jamesburg – Neighbors helping Neighbors about five or six years ago, according to Mr. Newton.
”(He had) the idea of gathering (the) talents of town citizens and helping (others) by giving workshops on estate planning, food storage, and other needful subjects, in our local library,” Mr. Newton said. “The group stayed pretty quiet and under-the-radar until Hurricane Irene came and did so much damage in Jamesburg and the surrounding area. There’s a lot of people in town who are really mourning him now.”
Mr. Larsen leaves behind a wife, Connie, and three children. Who could not be reached for comment Thursday.

