Larry Arthur Perrin, 63, of Fife Lake passed away on Monday, Oct. 13, 2003, after a courageous battle with Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS).
God saw that you were getting tired and a cure was not to be, so he put his arms around you and whispered, "come with me." With tearful eyes we watched you suffer, we saw you fade away. Although we loved you dearly, we would not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands were put to rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us He only takes the best.
Larry graduated from Kalkaska high School in 1958 followed by three years of service in the U.S. Navy. He left the Kalkaska area to work in Grand Rapids, where he retired in 1994 from Steelcase after working there for 27 years.
Larry and his wife, Kathy, returned to Fife Lake in 1994, where he spent nine years enjoying hunting, fishing and playing golf and cards with family and friends. Larry was very active in the AMVETS Post 126 and the American Legion Post 219 in Fife Lake.
Larry is survived by his wife of 25 years, Kathy Perrin; sons, David (Jackie) Perrin, Doug Perrin and Duane Herman, all of Grand Rapids; daughter, Melissa (Chris) House of Grand Rapids: daughter-in-law, Jessica Gissendonner of Warrior, Ala.; brothers Rodger Perrin and Lynn (Sandy) Perrin of Kalkaska, Donnie (Betty) Perrin of Fife Lake and Fred (Teresa) Perrin of Grayling; sis- ters, Terry (Roland) Helsel of Lake City and Mary Ann (Jim) Adent of St. Joseph.
Larry was a loving grandfather and will be missed by David and Rebecca Perrin, Cory, Jason and Troy Perrin, Daniel Jr., Crystal and Donnie Perrin, Katie, Matt and Ben House, and many special friends.
He was preceded in death by his son, Daniel R. Perrin; his parents, Donald and Betty Perrin; and his stepmother, Ruth Perrin.
A memorial service was held Friday, Oct. 17. at Wolfe Funeral Home in Kalkaska. The Rev. Kimberland Hough officiated. Interment was at Garfield Township Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made in behalf of Larry A. Perrin to the West Michigan Chapter for ALS, 731 Front St. NW. Grand Rapids, Mich., 49504-5342.
Arrangements were made by Wolfe Funeral Home, Kalkaska.
