Larry Eugene Sunday

Larry Eugene Sunday passed away peacefully at Emerald Glen Memory Care Plus (although he did not require memory care!) in Mesa, Arizona on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, just six days before his 64th wedding anniversary. He was 85.
Larry was born in Toledo, Ohio on Sunday, January 1, 1939 to John Franklin Sunday, Jr. and Stella Isabell Harmon, the eldest of their two children. As Swanton, Ohio's "New Year's Baby" he and his parents were given many gifts by local merchants.
Larry lived in Swanton for over 37 years. Beginning at age twelve, he played the organ for Trinity United Methodist Church, maintaining a passion for the instrument throughout his life. He also played the trombone in the Swanton High School marching band and performed the lead role in the senior class play.
In the second grade he sent a note to a cute little girl named Priscilla Witker. It read, "When we grow up, will you marry me?" They dated during and after high school and were married June 4, 1960, by Priscilla's brother Bill, an ordained minister. On the evening of their wedding, Priscilla's grandmother Leah Wilbur approached Larry holding the second-grade note and said, "I am glad to see that you are finally going to honor this."
Thanks to his father-in-law Lawrence Witker, Larry was hired as a draftsman by the Dana Corporation, an automotive parts manufacturer, in 1963. For a lifelong "car guy" (he bought his first car before he obtained his driver's license), this was a dream job at which he excelled. Eventually he was promoted to technical writer and wrote many "how-to" manuals for installing aftermarket part kits such as a cruise control.
Larry's other "pastime" besides the organ and cars was serving as a volunteer firefighter for the Swanton Fire Department. He spent most of his 16.2 years of service as a pumper driver and engineer.
In February 1975, Larry and his family joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The family loved the missionaries and became (in)famous for traveling throughout the Michigan Lansing Mission to visit them, eventually drawing a gentle admonition from mission President Russell Hansen. Until neuropathy prevented him, Larry served as a ward organist in every ward he resided, and also various Church missionary and leadership callings.
Larry relocated his family to Tempe, Arizona, in November 1976 in both an effort to eliminate his asthma and to obey a prompting he received from the Holy Ghost.
He obtained his real estate license in February 1977 and became a broker in 1984, maintaining his licensure until his passing. Larry served with distinction on multiple real estate boards and committees at the local, state, and national levels. He received Realtor Emeritus status in 2017 after 40 years in the profession.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents and sweet wife Priscilla. He is survived by his sister Martha (Tom) Gerity of Whitehouse, Ohio; daughter Deborah (Jay) Kristofferson of Chandler, Arizona; son Timothy (Cheri) Sunday of Tempe, Arizona; and four grandchildren.
The family would like to thank his good friends Nelson Butler, Lauren Bolks, Bill Webster, and his wonderful caregivers for their love and support of Larry.