Lawrence Wayne Arness

1954 - 2024

Lawrence Wayne Arness, Larry, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Porter, Indiana, at the age of 69.

Larry is survived by his mother, Irene; brother, Ronald; sisters, Karen (John) Duffy and Diane (John) Dougherty; and nieces and nephews, Drew, Caroline, Michael, Ryan, Colleen, Christine, Elizabeth, Katie and Annie. He is preceded in death by his father, Emil Arness.

Larry was born on Aug. 24, 1954, in Laredo, Texas. He grew up and went to school in Gary, Indiana. Larry was a proud IU alum, earned his Doctor of Jurisprudence at IUPUI and had his own practice in family law for the remainder of his career. He recently retired but continued to volunteer as the attorney for the Human Rights Commission in Michigan City, Indiana, where his 20-plus years of dedicated service resulted in honors and intrinsic pride. Albeit retired, Larry continued to work part-time performing various arbitrations.

Larry loved biking, camping (never enough firewood in a forest), cross country skiing, boating, traveling and the Indiana Dunes. His stories of cross-country motorcycle riding adventures are legendary. Once the motorcycle was put away, biking became a passion.

The meticulous lawyer, he recorded miles on his long-distance bike rides, totaling 100,000-plus in recent years.

He also enjoyed reading, playing cards, both the non-betting/family type, and the annual poker games with lifelong pals, and gardening (always generous with sharing tomatoes). For at least a decade Larry organized an NCAA Basketball pool with more than 50 hopeful participants. He was a diehard Chicago sports fan and attended the Indianapolis 500 for decades.

Larry never married but he was deeply, deeply devoted to his nieces and nephews, grandnieces and nephews, and children/grandchildren of his friends, family and neighbors. Hours were devoted to playing go fish, riddles, reading the comics, playing in the sand at Lake Michigan, or shaking fall foliage loose in Shades State Park for his nieces and nephews to chase and catch. As the years progressed, playful hours transformed into valued shared words of wisdom and advice.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for June 8, 2024, at 1 p.m. at the Gary Aquatorium at 6918 Oak Ave. Gary, IN 46403. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Larry's life following the remembrance from 2 to 5 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Michigan City Human Rights at 100 E. Michigan Blvd., Michigan City, IN 46360, or Friends of Indiana Dunes at dunefriends.org.

The family would like to thank all of Larry's co-workers, friends and acquaintances who enriched his life over the years. As well as Edmonds & Evans at 517 Broadway, Chesterton, IN 46304, for their care of Larry as he rests in peace.

Please go to their website at www.ee-fh.com to leave words of comfort.