Ronald William LaClair

1936 - 2022

Ronald William, LaClair, age 86, of Potterville, passed away Sunday, May 8, 2022. Ron was born March 22, 1936 in Lansing the son of William and Edith(Somerville) LaClair. Ron married Nancy Britten on February 28, 1959 in Okemos. Nancy was his best friend and hunting partner for 57 years until her death in 2016. Together they enjoyed the sport of archery, hunting and fishing, and traveling throughout the Midwest. He served his country in the US Air Force, then gained employment at General Motors in Lansing, where he retired in 1986 after 30years. Ron won the Howard Hill World Longbow Championship, Wilsonville Al, in 1981, shooting an 80lb Hill Style Longbow. Following his retirement, he started a business: Ron LaClair's Traditional Archery shoppe, in Potterville, where he promoted and sold Traditional Bows and accessories for over 30 years. In the early-mid 90s he created his own line of lighter weight compact-size longbows called the Shrew. He is credited with the original design concept and development of the "short longbow", now marketed and sold by multiple bowyers and manufacturers. Today the Shrew bow is sold globally and one of the most desired traditional hunting bows of its kind. Shrewbows.com. Over the course of his life, Ron was well known for his excellent marksmanship with the bow and arrow, traditional fire arms, and throwing Tomahawks and Knives. He often demonstrated his superior skills at exhibitions and tournaments around the state of Michigan. Commonly hitting flying targets with a bow, such as coins and aspirins. For over 30years, he held a Michigan State Muzzle Loading Assn. state record, getting a near perfect score in the 50 yard off-hand event, using a .50 caliber Flintlock rifle, built by his friend Judson Brennan. Ron was a Life member and Hall-of-fame Inductee of the Michigan Bow Hunters Association. He was a founding member and former president of the Michigan LongBow Association. In 1985 the MLA hosted the first Great Lakes Longbow Invitational, (GLLI) which has gone on to be one of the biggest Long Bow events in the world. Ron was also a longtime member of the Chief Okemos Sportsman's club in Dimondale, where he shared his passion of Black Powder weapons, and buckskins, with many friends. In the Mid 90s Ron started a hunting camp in the Upper Peninsula Michigan, called Shrewhaven. It was here that he shared his love of traditional bow hunting, primitive style, with his wife Nancy and some of his closest friends. Ron was known for his writing and narration of many poems. Most notably: The Ghost of Armstrong Creek, Forward, Age old miracle, The Legacy, and The Love of Archery. Video of select poems can be found online. "What is there about a traditional bow that captivates us so? It's only a simple stick and string, it's only a simple bow." Excerpt from the "Love of Archery", by Ron LaClair. He is survived by his children William LaClair, Daniel (Dianna) LaClair, Robin Welch-LaClair, sibling Judy (Art) Miller, 11 grandchildren: Jordan, Jesse, Nathan, Jennifer, Andrea, Ashley, Matt, Susanna, David, Brian, Jacob, and 8 great grandchildren. Ron was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Rebecca 1976, and wife Nancy in 2016. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 18, 2022 at 1 pm at the Lux and Schnepp Funeral Home, Riverdale with Pastor Terry LaDuke officiating. Interment will follow in Elm Hall Cemetery. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 10 am until time of service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Eaton Community Palliative Care, 2675 S. Cochran Rd., Charlotte, MI 48813. To view Ron's obituary or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.luxfuneralhomes.com.