Lawrence "Larry" Downs

I love you Larry rip go with God

Mrs. Bonnie, you and Mr. Larry were simply a wonderful couple. I know my dad and mom treasured the times that they visited your place. I know I was pleased to see you 2 at their 50th anniversary party. Towards the end I remember when you would call them and have Mr Larry talk to dad planning a visit especially one that included fishing. Those calls were on speaker phone so mom could listen and speak too. Those were nights when dad's heart both broke and soared. He knew Mr Larry was fighting to keep himself brain bright and not forget who any of you were, but in the back of dad's mind Mr. Larry never lost the battle with dementia but he fought that valiant fight and after that veil of blue was lifted he entered into his Homegoing with a clear a expectant mind. That indeed, him and dad will definitely have that fishing trip, they missed out on,so recently. Please Mrs. Bonnie take care of yourself and rest easy, you and your family did the best you could and he knew this too. Fondly Christine and Family

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Larry is my big brother, always was and always will be. I am so blessed to have Larry as a big brother. He is 10 years older than me, so we didn't get in fights. He just helped me whenever I needed any help at all. He could do anything, hunting, trapping, fixing up cars (like his MG and Chevelle), and in general fixing anything with wheels or a motor. It was great when he gave me a ride on his Triumph motorcycle or in his car. Later, Larry even learned how to build computers and use the internet better than most people. I remember when he was in Vietnam he would regularly send letters and packages home. Back in the 1960's it was very difficult to make a phone call halfway around the world. So Larry solved that problem by sending us a small tape recorder and he would send us recorded messages of how he was doing. When we got one of his recordings the whole family would sit around the kitchen table to listen carefully to the scratchy recordings. Finally, Larry helped people. Just one example is his work helping disabled veterans receive all the benefits they were entitled to even though he was disabled himself. Thanks for everything Larry.

Dearest Bonnie, You are so special to us!! We are truely blessed to have known you and Larry at out little church on the hill. He was such a sweet and kind man who will be missed by us all. Please know that we are here for you. Love and Prayers, Karen, Tom and Charlotte Morgan

Our love and prayers for you dear folks from all of the Clark family. So many wonderful times here on the farm sharing stories and just spending a few moments catching up out at the roadside. Larry always had such kind words for our kids. That means the world. Truly blessed with wonderful neighbors. Keeping you close in our hearts in the coming days.

Dear Bonnie, Tammy and Family, So sorry to hear of Larry's passing. I first met Larry when he was probably about 16, such polite and handsome guy who had a bit of a crush on my older sister. Many years passed by before we met again at Highland Congregational Church, you could always count on Larry to give his opinion on politics and religion. Always enjoyed your "visits" at our garage sales or in the grocery store. Prayers of sympathy and comfort to you and all his loved ones.

Dear Bonnie. So sorry to learn of Larry’s passing. The last time I saw you and Larry, you were sitting in a pew towards the back of church. He was wearing his Vietnam War Veteran cap and was acknowledged for his service to our country. I’ll be praying that God will give you inner peace during this difficult time.

Larry was a good friend and fellow Vietnam veteran. Our thoughts and prayers are with
Bonnie and his family, may he rest in peace.

Larry was a great advocate for Veterans he would always go out of his way to help his fellow Veterans. He was a long time member of our Disabled American Veterans and our Chapter 19 Service Officer. As a fellow Vietnam Veteran and grunt thank you for all you have done for the Veteran Community.
Nick Luxon DAV 19.

Sending prayers to the family during this difficult time. I didn't know Larry for very long, but he sure touched my heart, and I will miss him. RIP "KIDDO"
Laura J.

Larry to the rescue. Because Dad had passed eleven years earlier, Larry walked me down the aisle on May 29, 1993. What a rock he was for me that day -- he got me through the "zipper breaks on the wedding gown 30 minutes before the ceremony" drama and kept me calm while a seamstress literally sewed me into the dress. That guy had nerves of steel that day.

Larry was my big brother and I always looked up to him. He was 8 years older and was always so dashing and handsome with his cool cars and motorcycles. Then the Vietnam War took him far away and I, an 8th grader, learned more about war than I ever wanted to know. How the car that drives up to your house with U.S. Marine Corps officers and a chaplain means that your brother is either dead or wounded - and how relieved you are when you hear he's still alive. How long the drive to the Great Lakes Naval Hospital takes and how filled the hospital is with wounded sailors and soldiers. How hard it is to say "good-bye" at the end of every visit because you get to return home and they can't. Then, miracle of miracles, Larry beat the odds and returned to Michigan, married his beloved Bonnie, and lived for another 50+ years. He got to experience the joys of fatherhood with Tammy and the happiness of grand fatherhood with Mackenzie and Molly Marie. Thanks to his beautiful and loving family, Larry would say he had it all. So, despite our sadness at his passing, I rejoice that Larry came back from Vietnam and found such a happy and full life awaiting him. Rest in Peace, Dear Brother. I - your "Sis" - love you and will always remember you.

It is wih gteat sorrow to learnof Larry's passing and I wish to extend my sympathies to his family. We had been freinds of the Downs family for many years, visiting each other's homes,and being part of several Downs family celebrations. I was a classmate of Larry's stap-dad, Martin Downs at GMI, and worked in several activities at GMC Truck & Coach. After we moved to Florida, our visits were sparse, but did see the whole family again at the passing of Larry's mother, Violet Downs. Bless you,Larry!