Larson Elementary remembers beloved custodian and Valley superhero

WASILLA — Larson Elementary School recently announced the sudden and tragic loss of their longtime day custodian, August Naranjo, who was cherished for his unwavering positivity and commitment to going above and beyond for the students, staff, and everyone else that he knew.

“I think his legacy will be here for a long time,” Larson Elementary School Principal Beckie Murphy said.

Naranjo’s 19-year legacy of kindness and dedication was honored during a recent celebration of life ceremony at the school.

“To say he will be missed at Larson Elementary is an understatement. Our school, our community and our students will certainly feel the loss of his presence for quite some time. But it is my hope is that we will continue to celebrate him while we feel comfort and strength through reflecting on his life’s story and his 19 years here at Larson,” Murphy said.

Naranjo went well past regular duties as custodian, often participating in school events and activities. He was also known for regularly volunteering his time with school programs, working as the yearbook coordinator and school photographer among other roles. Murphy said the students adored him.

“They had really good relationships with him. Mr. August was one of those guys they listened to. He would play games with kids. Whenever we had spirit days, he’d dress up with them,” Murphy said. “He loved the kids. At our service, we had many former students that came to pay their respects to Mr. August because they just loved him and he was good at making them feel important. That was pretty special.”

Murphy said that Naranjo touched many lives, not just at their school. She said that he made people smile everywhere he went and he was always willing to lend a helping hand. He knew a lot of people across the Valley, making a lasting positive impression wherever he went.

“He was absolutely a reliable person, not just at the school, but with his friends and everyone else. He was just one of those kinds of people you could always count on,” Murphy said. “He just knew everybody.”

Mat-Su Career Technical High School teacher Zack Lanphier said that Naranjo was the most caring and kindhearted person he ever met.

“He was the best of all of us… He would give so much of himself all the time,” Lanphier said. “His presence impacted so many people. It’s incredible.”

Lanphier said that Naranjo provided invaluable service to the Bleeding Heart Brewery team for many years.

“August had been there since the beginning of the company,” Lanphier said. “For Bleeding Heart Brewery, he has been a beer ambassador from the beginning.”

Lanphier said that he’s known Naranjo since high school and they grew especially close over the last decade. He said they watched every Marvel movie together.

“That was our tradition. That was our thing,” Lanphier said.

Lanphier said they were always spending time together and he was one of his best friends.

“We shared so many common interests. Our friendship was just fun and easy. Anything he needed, I was there. Anything I needed, he was there,” Lanphier said. “I’m going to miss just his presence, his calming, steadfast, and loyal presence… We had plans to see ‘Shang-Chi.’ I went the day after he passed and I carried on our tradition. It was hard. The Marvel logo came up and it was like, ‘it’s supposed to be me and him here.’ We did so many things together.”

Numerous drawings, letters, and other tributes to Naranjo are placed around Larson Elementary. Lanphier said that exemplifies how much Naranjo meant to so many people and how much he will be missed.

“They drew pictures of him as a superhero. It’s beautiful. We’ve been getting story after story,” Lanphier said. “I would say all of us, when we pass, we would hope that people have the things to say about us as everybody that’s come out of the woodwork to say about August… He was that positive impact, the kind of impact people want to see in the world. He lived that. I think the kids and people who were around him and had an opportunity to experience that, I believe that everyone is better off for it.”

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com