Lawrence "Larry" May

Lawrence Frederick “Larry” May aged 74 died Friday, March 18, 2022 at his home surrounded by his family. He was born June 25, 1947 at home in Sparta, MI to Fritz and Marcella (Spaulding) May and was raised there along with his siblings, Ronald, Joyce, Bernard, Karen and Freddy. Larry attended Sparta High School. He was in the Air Force from 1969 to 1972 and spent 25 years in the National Air Guard. Larry was a jet engine mechanic in Vietnam and in the Guard he served as a crew chief mechanic. He married Catherine and they adopted Jason and Leia, raising them in the same house he was born in. Larry worked at McDonald Dairy and was at Country Fresh Dairy for over 34 years, working as a mechanic and then as a maintenance planner. After his divorce Larry resided on Kenowa Ave. with his mother Marcella. His daughter gave him a kitten named Mitsy who queen bee until he met his first golden retriever named Kodie. While attending a mass for divorced Catholic’s at the Catholic Information Center in Grand Rapids he met Carol Lawrence. After dating for several years they married in December of 1998, and he gained two step children, Joe and Jamie. Larry and Carol lived at the Sparta residence until May of 2000 when they moved to Rockford. Larry was very proud of his children Jason, Leia, Joe and Jamie. He had 10 grandchildren whom he adored and loved giving them rides on his John Deer tractor. He had a grandson named after him “Lawrence Jr.” He said, “he was blessed to have all of them healthy and happy.” He loved family gatherings at the house and the holidays with all of them. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, working in his barn and yard. There wasn’t anything he could not repair or fix. Larry loved animals, having three golden retrievers named Kodie, Kramer, and Koda. He could never pass a dog without greeting it. He was the animal whisper! After retirement he went to work at his church, St. John Paul II Church in Cedar Springs where he brought Koda with him. He fell in love with Father Lam, Katie, Annette and Kara. He loved to visit with them and the ladies in the kitchen. Larry and Carol took up camping which they loved to do as often as they could get away. Their favorite campsite was in Grayling and they took the cat and dogs through the many years and enjoyed many vacations. Lawrence belonged to the Knights of Columbus, Belding Sportman’s Club, and the American Legion. His passion was his family, children, dogs, camping, and fishing. Larry was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease which changed his whole world around him. He had to retire from his job at the church and stick closer to home. Carol said, “I was proud to be his wife and be there for him. He had a way of making me laugh even on the tough days. He told me he wants to be remembered for his love for family, country, and being blessed to work with his hands repairing things for so many years.” Surviving are his wife, Carol; children, Jason (Jennifer) May, Leia (Terence) Sidlauskas, Jamie (Adams) Lusis; grandchildren, Lawrence, Isabelle and Claire May, Logan and Aubrey Sidlauskas, Calvin and Owen Lawrence, Ben, Noah, and Quinn Peltier; sisters, Joyce (Walt) Wagner, Karen (Pat) Hartwick; sister-in-law, Roxann May; brother-in-law, David (Louise) Glynn; nieces and nephews, Wendy Rodriguez, Dawn May, Shelly (Bobby) Klochack, Michael (Alix) May, Sarah (Brandon) Didion, Roni (Andy) Crisman, Patrick (Sarah) Hartwick, Jennifer (Takashi) Okada, Krista (Mike) Schaendorf, Kendra May; grand nieces and nephews, Travis (Makayla) Puff, Michael and Matthew Schaendorf, Emily Kreiger, Brook and Tyler Didion, Jacob, Delanie and Sophie Sommers, Syrena May-Crisman, Cecelia Crisman, Alex and Robby Klochack; many cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Frederick (Freddy), Ronald, Bernard May, stepfather Ivan Schneider, stepbrother, Fr. Ron Schneider, stepson, Joe Lawrence. The family will greet friends Friday, March 25 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at St. John Paul II Chapel where a vigil service will be held at 7:30 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered 11:00 am Saturday, March 26 at St John Paul II Church. Rev. Fr. Lam Le, Celebrant. Interment at Fort Custer Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Parkinson Association of West Michigan, 260 Jefferson Ave. SE #210, Grand Rapids MI 49503 or to Newaygo County Compassion Home, 20 S. Stewart Ave. Fremont MI 49412. Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs MI.