World War II veteran Jake Larson, better known online as “Papa Jake,” has died.
The social media star, who attracted 1.2 million followers on TikTok, was 102 “years young,” according to his granddaughter, McKaela Larson, who shared the news via a shared Instagram account on Sunday, July 20.
“It’s with a heavy heart that I have to make this announcement. Our beloved Papa Jake has passed away on July 17th. Please know, he went peacefully and was even cracking jokes til the very end,” McKaela wrote.
Jake, who rose to fame after McKaela began sharing stories from her grandfather via social media, helped plan 1944’s D-Day invasion and was the last remaining soldier of those who landed on Omaha Beach in Normandy, France, per The New York Times.
McKaela accompanied the announcement with two photos of herself with Jake, as well as a collage of snaps that showed Jake enjoying time at Disneyland and greeting fans.
“At this time the family and I ask for some privacy as we process this loss,” McKaela wrote. “I am so thankful to have shared my Papa Jake with you all. You meant the world to him. When the time is right, I will continue to share Papa Jake’s stories and keep his memory alive. We appreciate all the kind words and posts. As Papa would say, love you all the mostest. ❤️.”
McKaela started Jake’s TikTok account in June 2020, per The New York Times, initially sharing footage of Jake detailing preparations for D-Day, the start of Operation Overload, as well as the aftermath.
His posts expanded into general musings, however, and in May, he shared birthday mail he’d received from celebrities including Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. “Tom wrote this on a plane so there was turbulence, love it,” Jake told the camera.
He also shared birthday tributes from the Zac Brown Band at the time, plus legendary sporting stars and team owners, business executives, and Chris Pratt.
“You’ve probably seen this man in the movies, Chris Pratt,” Jake said as he held a signed head shot of the Garfield Movie actor, 46. “He’s pretty good looking, he’s alright. Better looking than this old man. Thank you Chris.”
Jake pinpointed a “pretty special” message from Jimmy Carter, “just before he passed away.” Growing emotional as he said the words, he told the camera, “What an honor to me. I’ve really admired the man, he kept busy all his life. I kind of emulate that, I keep going. Thank you, God bless you Jimmy.” (Carter, the 39th President, died on December 29, 2024, at the age of 100.)
Per The New York Times, Jake was born on December 20, 1922 in Hope, Minneapolis, and wrote about his experiences in the independently published 2021 memoir, “The Luckiest Man in the World: Stories from the Life of Papa Jake.”
