Larry Fuller

With a life that spanned times of great change in the world around him, Larry Fuller lived life fully each day while holding his loved ones near. He was blessed to find love not once, but twice, and his greatest source of pride and joy was found in becoming a grandfather and great-grandfather many times over. Larry loved traveling and saw so many of the most amazing things the world has to offer, but nothing was better than sharing these experiences with the ones he loved most. In many ways he was a kid at heart, and he managed to pull the best practical jokes. Although he will be deeply missed, Larry’s timeless legacy will be proudly carried on by those who follow in his footsteps.

The 1930s were some of the toughest days we have faced as a nation as the entire decade was cloaked in the hardship of the Great Depression. Jobs were hard to come by, the unemployment rate soared, and things only went from bad to worse when a drought covered the nation’s heartland for nearly two years, adding more strain to an already crippled agricultural industry. Despite the challenges abound them, Durwood and Louise Fuller were able to shift their focus to a joyous time in their own lives as they were eagerly anticipating the birth of their new baby as the beauty of spring unfolded in the beautiful city of Holland, Michigan, in 1939. The big day finally arrived when the baby boy they named Lawrence drew his first breath. He was one of two sons born to his parents, and he was raised in the family home at 79 VanderVeen Avenue in Holland alongside his brother, Bernie TerVree. Larry’s father worked for Baker Furniture while his mother worked for Donelly Kelley. He was a student at local schools who went on to graduate from Holland High School in 1957.

Not to be forgotten during Larry’s years as a young man was his introduction to the woman who would change the course of his life forever. Her name was Char, and after dating for a time the couple soon found themselves deeply in love. With a desire to establish a life together, Larry and Char because husband and wife in 1958 after having only been dating for a short time. Together they welcomed two children including Steve and Lisa into their hearts and home. Larry and Char raised their children in a loving home filled with plenty of fun, too. To support his family, Larry worked as a certified mechanic for VandenBerg Buick until they closed. From there he worked for the City of Holland until retiring in 2004. Larry was deeply saddened with Char’s death after suffering a massive heart attack as a result of a car accident.

New and exciting changes were in store for Larry when he became better acquainted with his longtime friend, Nancy Day. They began dating, and after a couple of years he surprised Nancy with an engagement ring at the annual pig roast. A short time later, Larry and Nancy were married in April of 2010 at the Trestle Stop in Hamilton. Together they shared Larry’s sunset years, embracing so many of the things he loved together.

Throughout his life Larry’s journey was enriched in numerous ways. He was a dog lover, and he had several dogs over the years including his most recent companion, Abbie. Larry loved traveling with Hawaii and Branson, Missouri, being among his favorite destinations, and closer to home he loved going camping. A family man through and through, he looked forward to family gatherings for Thanksgiving and Christmas as it was a time for everyone to just enjoy being together. Larry liked going out to dinner with friends, as long as there were no screaming children around, and the annual pig roast with family and friends was always a highlight. He was a NASCAR fan who attended his first race during the summer of 2014, and he was also a member of the VROA race club who attended every race possible. Larry was an amazing historian on the North and South American cruise ships in addition to cruise ships of the Great Lakes. As someone who enjoyed tinkering, Larry rebuilt classic cars including a ’57 Chevy pickup and a ’57 Bel Aire. NCIS was his favorite television show while Clive Cussler was his favorite author.

Whether he was taking a water aerobics class with his daughter, having a tea party with little Olivia, or pulling one of his infamous practical jokes, Larry Fuller put the spice into the world around him. He was fun-loving with just the right amount of spunk mixed in, and his devotion to his friends and loved ones was unmatched. Larry was a social person who enjoyed attending Evergreen Commons or even going out for a great meal, but what made these experiences so extraordinary was sharing them with his friends and loved ones. He will be forever missed but never forgotten.

Larry “Lawrence” Fuller died at his home on Saturday, May 9, 2015. Larry is survived by his wife, Nancy Fuller; children, Steve (Margie) Fuller, Lisa (Kevin) Kaiser; and stepchildren, LuAnne (Scott) Klinkers, Lisa (Steve) Hilton, Robin McAlpine, and Sherry McAlpine; grandchildren, Jerimie and Josh Fuller, Andy and Anna Miedema, and John Miedema; great-grandchildren, Demetrious Fuller, Callie Fuller, Alexis Fuller, Brooklyn Fuller, and Joshua Jacob Fuller; step-grandchildren, Tracey and Benjie Spence, Travis McAlpine, Melissa Martin, Nick Klinkers, Adam and Jen McAlpine, Aaron and Julie McAlpine, Andy and Amanda Welch, and Tanya Britton; thirteen step-great-grandchildren; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers-in-law, and sisters-in-law. Larry was preceded in death by his first wife, Char Fuller; parents, Durwood and Louise Fuller; brother, Bernie TerVree; and stepson, Bryan McAlpine. Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 14 from 6-9 at Dykstra Funeral Home – Mulder Chapel; 188 West 32nd Street. Funeral Service Friday, May 15 at 11 a.m. at Dykstra Funeral Home – Mulder Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made in Larry’s memory to Hospice of Michigan or Evergreen Commons.