Larry Laurin

Larry Raymond Laurin, 75, of Delton, Michigan, entered the Lord's presence as promised in John 3:16 on Thursday, December 8, 2016. He was born September 9, 1941, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to the late Herve' and Eleanor (Betz) Laurin. A skilled machinist by trade, Larry was employed by Stenson Co. for 20 years, and Mol-Son, from which he retired in 2011. After two years of retirement, he joined the Integrated Manufacturing team at Stryker, where he was actively employed at the time of death. Larry was an avid sportsman and outdoorsman. One of his fun-filled youthful memories was "shagging" foul balls at Lindstrom Field in the early 1950's for the Kalamazoo Lassies, a local team in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. As a young adult, other fun memories were made coaching youth hockey, and playing men's league hockey and softball. In later years, he enjoyed cheering his grandchildren on during their many events. Larry was a devoted fan of the Detroit Lions and the Detroit Red Wings, and proudly sported University of Michigan wear. Boating and fishing at his home on Fine Lake, riding his motorcycle, and camping in the "Mitten State" rounded out his love of the outdoors. Known for ears and eyes to hear and see things in a creative way, Larry was a talented musician and artist. He was a gifted guitarist, piano player, singer, and wrote many uniquely worded songs that would turn any frown upside-down. In his earlier years, he was a member of bands touring the West Michigan area named "The Offbeats", "Chancellors", and "Riverbed". Larry's passion for "scribbling", as he called it, earned him the fitting nickname, "Mr. Scribbles", which he wore well. He was "booted" from 9th grade art class at South Junior High because the cows he drew were "too abstract" for the teacher's taste. Fifty years later, he was invited to paint a mural on the outside of the same school, now known as Maple Street Magnet School for the Arts. Representing the "history" of the school, Larry painted the left side of the wall, and representing the "future", students painted the right side of the colorful wall poignantly named, "Coming Full Circle". His mechanical knowledge and uninhibited sense of color and imagination were the inspirations that fueled his abstract art. A 10-year participant of the Kalamazoo Art Hops, Larry's colorful scribbles were often on display, and are permanently represented at many other venues. Larry found true relaxation through creativity. Surviving are his wife, Renee (Rowland) Laurin, whom Larry married in 1987, brother, Terry (Marilyn) Laurin, sister, Barb (Gary) Hughes, and his five children from his previous marriage: Ann-Marie (Paul) Henegar, Harvey (Gail) Laurin, David (Kayla) Laurin, Shelly (Tom) Jevert, and Heidi (Tony) Mazzola; and nine grandchildren: Chris and Josh Henegar, Taylor Laurin, Hannah and Hunter Laurin, and Isaac, Ian, Charlotte, and Claire Mazzola. In accordance with Larry's wishes, his body was donated to Michigan State University to help further the study of medicine. In the future, a graveside celebration of life will take place at Mt. Everest Memorial Park South, Kalamazoo, Michigan.