Larry Melvin Reynolds

Larry Reynolds was a devoted father and husband who worked hard to provide for his beloved family. He enjoyed riding motorcycles, camping with family and friends, and working on his Olds 442. Larry regarded his family as his greatest accomplishment, and he was the happiest in their warm company. With the end of the Second World War, thousands of young soldiers returned to their civilian lives back home. They started families of their own, and the Baby Boom was soon underway. In Muskegon, Michigan, Melvin Reynolds and his wife Lois Walsworth were among the many expecting parents. On October 15, 1947 they were blessed with the healthy birth of their son Larry. Larry grew up in Muskegon, where his father was the second generation owner/operator of Muskegon Truckers. Although his mother was a homemaker, she also answered the business telephone and prepared lunch for the workers. In the mid-1950's, the Reynolds moved to Laketon Township. They brought the family business with them. The eldest of three children, Larry grew up with the company of his brother Scott and his sister Debbie. He was close to his cousins, especially Tommy. They were a mischievous bunch. When everyone was sleeping, Larry would sneak out of the house to wander the starlit night with his cousins. He loved the outdoors. During the day he played in the gully off Getty Street, and many nights he slept under the stars, without a tent, on a metal frame cot. Growing up, Larry attended Muskegon schools at Marquette, Steele, Laketon, and then North Muskegon. He went to North Muskegon High School, where he enjoyed the print shop. Larry planned to turn this hobby into a career, and after his graduation in 1965 he briefly worked for a print shop. The job did not hold his interest, and he began working in the parts department of Matson Automotive. Eventually Larry would join the family business, Muskegon Truckers. He was the third generation of Reynolds to co-own and operate the business. On February 11, 1968 Larry met the love of his life, an attractive young woman named Barb Arnson. When he first laid eyes on her, he was cruising down Apple Avenue with a good friend in his first love of his life, an Olds 442 with a teal and white interior. She was with a friend too, and they were heading to Hansen's Drive-In. At Hansen's Larry struck up a conversation. He and Barb resolved to see each other again, and the next Friday they went to drive-in theater as a first date. They soon fell in love, and on May 2, 1970 they were united in marriage. For their honeymoon, the newlyweds spent an entire month out West. They returned to Michigan with more money than they had expected. Larry used the extra money to buy his first motorcycle, a small Suzuki. Larry and Barb were blessed with three wonderful children. Kim was born in 1977, followed by Matthew in 1986. Their son Randy passed away in 1980. Larry was the one up at night with the kids. He enjoyed reading motorcycle magazines to the kids, and he shared his interest in astronomy with Matthew. Larry attended as many baseball and softball games as possible, and he never missed a band concert. He was proud of his daughter Kim, who played four sports throughout high school and college. Even before he bought his first Suzuki, Larry loved to ride motorcycles. He enjoyed racing, and won a trophy at a competition in Brohman, Michigan. He soon purchased a Suzuki Rotary with a special engine, and he eventually upgraded to a 1987 Harley Electra Glide. He and Barb often took the Harley on weekend trips with other couples. They would ride the ferry to Wisconsin, then return home by following the perimeter of Lake Michigan. But after a minor accident, Larry was nervous about riding with Barb; she was too precious to him. Larry devoted his life to his family. For their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary, the family went on a cruise through the Bahamas. For 25 years, he and Barb took the kids on many camping vacations. One of their favorite places was the Channel Campground in Muskegon. It was a special place, the site of countless family memories. After Larry was diagnosed with cancer, he underwent chemotherapy with excellent initial results. He scheduled his chemo appointments to make sure that he could visit the channel, where he and Barb enjoyed watching the boats pass through. When Larry's cancer returned in September of 2006, he maintained his optimistic spirit by focusing on the many blessings in his life. His family was his greatest treasure, and he was thankful for each moment he spent in their loving company. Larry and Barb valued their 36 years of marriage. Among the many people whose hearts he touched, Larry will be greatly missed and frequently remembered. Larry died Wednesday, January 17, 2007 at Poppen Hospice House with his wife and daughter at his side. He is survived by his wife Barbara; daughter, Kim Reynolds of Twin Lake; son, Matthew Reynolds parents, Melvin & Lois Reynolds of Muskegon; sister, Debbie (Ken) Sterzer & brother, Scott (Amy) Reynolds. The Service will be held on Friday, January 19, 2007, 4:30 PM at Clock Chapel with Chaplin Jan Johnson officiating. Interment at Laketon Township Cemetery. Please visit with family and friends on Thursday, 6-8 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon. MEMORIAL: American Cancer Society or the West Michigan Concert Winds Endowment. Please visit Larry's personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.