Remembering Extraordinary Lives: Hulk Hogan and Jake Larson

July has been a wild month for many. The obituary section was thick. Some have lived great lives. Others would question if they have repented for what they have done on their earthly pilgrimage.

There were two names that I couldn’t help but immortalize in this opinion piece: Hulk Hogan and Jake Larson

Jake Larson

Known as Papa Jake on TikTok, Jake Larson is the last of the many survivors from the D-Day invasion. At 15, he lied about his age (which many underage boys did) to serve his country. He would be stationed in Ireland.

On June 6th, 1944, he and 34,000 allied personnel took part in the “Great Crusade” as he stormed Omaha Beach in Normandy, France.

For many years, Larson would travel to Normandy top commemorate the anniversary of one of history’s successful amphibious landings that changed the course of World War II. Larson and the hundreds of thousands who parachuted into the countryside and stormed the beaches were given a depth of gratitude for freeing France from the tyrannical regime of Hitler.

Jake died at the right age of 102. He will forever be remembered for sharing his stories with all who attended the D-Day commemoration, as they were shared on social media thanks to his granddaughter.

Larson's life will be immortalized in a memoir, available for purchase here. 

Hulk Hogan

Many who grew up in the 1980s may remember watching the World Wrestling Federation, now known as World Wrestling Entertainment.

Hulk Hogan was a big part of it. He would be the heavyweight champion from 1984 to 1989. He was a showman, actor, and entertainer. Yet, there was one more title that he would claim.

By the end of his life, Hogan accepted Christ into his life. Becoming a Christian was "the greatest day of my life," a declaration of "total surrender and dedication to Jesus."

May their memories be eternal as we pray for the repose of their souls.

One takeaway from both lives is to always return to Christ as he claims us daily.