John Larsen

Hard working and a lover of cars, John Larsen was a man of substance who lived by his own rules and way of doing things. Although he could seem a tad gruff, he was truly a softhearted, family man who loved his family dearly. A talented dragster in his earlier years, he provided well for his family and offered them adventures of a lifetime. Dearly loved, he will be sorely missed and fondly remembered. Hope could finally be seen on the horizon in 1939 as the U.S. began slowly emerging from the devastating economic effects of the Great Depression. God Bless America was introduced, and moviegoers enjoyed the premieres of, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and Gone With the Wind. No longer able to remain neutral, the United States began sending military and economic aid to the war ravaged countries of our allies, all while looming precariously on the edge of World War II. It was during this time on January 23, 1939 when Albert and Ethel (Schooley) Larsen welcomed the birth of their son, John Emil into their hearts. Born and raised in the Michigan city of Big Rapids, John's parents were hardworking farmers. They were also loggers which was a thriving source of revenue for the locals. John was one of 12 children in the Larsen household. They each grew up farming, and John and most of his brothers logged, too. From early on they learned the value of hard work and were expected to work alongside their parents and one another. Even so, John enjoyed his share of boyhood adventures and fun times during his youth. Having attended the local schools, he left his education behind half way through which enabled him to work more on the family farm. During his teens he also continued to log, and did so well into the late seventies. As a young man, John met the girl of his dreams at the local A Quite smitten from the start, Laurie worked as a waitress there and was quite taken with John. After taking her for a drive in his 1949 Ford, they began dating and fell deeply in love. However, when the interior of the vehicle fell down on him while driving, it became one of the last Fords he'd ever own again. John and Laurie were blessed in marriage on March 23, 1958. Before long they experienced the joy of parenthood when their daughter, Valerie came along in 1959. John Jr. and Troy followed, while Robin and Albert soon brought up the rear of their family. After supporting his growing family logging for so many years, John took a leap of faith in the early eighties when he purchased the Sunoco gas station in nearby White Cloud. Before long they found themselves moving to Holland where he worked in maintenance. The Larsen family enjoyed taking the car ferry across Lake Michigan to Manitowac and Oshkosh, Wisconsin and often drove rest of the way to the Wisconsin Dells. They always stopped in St. Ignace, taking in Deer Park, the Mystery Spot, and a few other local attractions. Each year they also walked the Mackinac Bridge on Labor day. John was heavily into drag racing from the late sixties to early seventies. He built a D-Gas 1955 Chevy and loved racing every weekend at the Brohman Drag Strip, known also as the M37 Dragway. His whole family loved going and watching John race. Sometimes, at the light, he would just get ready to take off, only to break an axel! That would be it for his day of racing which was always a bummer. There was nothing like John's cars. He made a name for himself at Brohman, and even raced against the John Henry car which was pretty exciting. To this day, even some of John's kids are dragway enthusiasts. Needless to say, John loved watching NASCAR. Soon before Brohman Drag Strip closed, John also tried his hand in the mid-seventies with stock car racing. He raced at the Ludington Fairgrounds and also at Thunderbird Raceway. Four wheeling also provided John and his family with exciting times. From the late seventies to the early eighties, four wheeling became quite an enjoyable hobby for them. He especially liked four wheeling from the Hardy Dam area to Ludington. A far cry from the farm tractors he drove in his youth, John enjoyed it immensely. A larger than life "man cave", John loved spending time in his pole barn. It was his sanctuary of sorts where he tinkered, repaired, and put together ideas. He had a knack for building unique objects, like his unforgettable sawmill building. Very mechanically inclined, he could fix anything. John also liked spending time on his ham radio with his CB handle, "Big Daddy". A creature of habit, he had the habit of saying, "Thanks for calling" when saying goodbye on the telephone, even when he was the one who called. John and his family had many pets through the years. From horses, pigs, cows, and rabbits; to chickens, dogs, and even a monkey graced their property! When the kids were growing up, the dogs were never allowed in the house. But after the kids moved out, the dogs moved in! That was just one example of John's soft side. He could appear to be gruff at times, and always said what was on his mind, but was truly softhearted in many respects. He had a great love for cars, especially antique cars. After retiring, he loved his Ford and Chevy, (he did get another Ford!) and especially loved time with his two adorable Shih-Tzu's. In 2009, John's entire family got together for the first time since the seventies, and John could not have been happier. A group picture continues to be a treasure to each of John's children, along with memories of the great time they had together. A man of many talents, John Larsen was well loved and respected by his children, and was known as a tireless worker. He gave much from his heart in his own, unspoken way, and taught his children well. Sadly, at the age of 73, John died very unexpectedly and suddenly at home in West Olive on Friday, July 13, 2012. Although there was no time to say goodbye, the memory of John will be forever remembered in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. John is survived by his wife of 53 years, Laurie; children: Valerie Larsen of Muskegon, John (Joni) Larsen of Grand Rapids, Troy Larsen of Stanwood, Robin Dunham of West Olive, Albert (Shawn) Larsen of Holland; 12 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; sisters, Helen Thomas and Louise Larsen. He was preceded in death by his parents and seven of his brothers and sisters. Memorial contributions may be directed to the family. SERVICES Saturday, July 21, 2012 11:00 AM at the Lion's Club of White Cloud, 294 S. Charles, White Cloud MI. AND Saturday, August 4, 2012 11:00 AM at the family home, 8933 146th Avenue, West Olive MI. MEMORIAL: To the Family. Please visit www.clockfuneralhome.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book. Clock Life Story- Grand Haven