Lawrence Carroll

With heavy hearts we announce the passing of our loving father, Lawrence F. Carroll on July 9, 2026. He was surrounded by his children during his last weeks and as he passed into the hands of God following the brief suffering in terminal illness. 

Larry was born January 6, 1939 in Lakeview, MI. He graduated high school in Big Rapids in 1957. In school, he fell in love with golf, a love that carried through to the end. He was proud of his time as a caddie in Big Rapids, and proud of his hole-in-one at that course as a teenager. He was once named caddie of the year. He was also very proud of the time spent with his grandfather surveying and building a cabin in the Newaygo area along the Little Muskegon River. 

He joined the military after high school, served 8 years in the USAF where he met his first wife, Jean, in Sioux City, IA where they were both stationed. He served in Korea as military police. After the military, he worked as a diesel mechanic and later a truck driver. Two of his sons and one grandson followed his example and served in the military. He always worked very hard to provide for his family, often working more than one job at a time. He instilled in his children the importance of working hard, sometimes to a fault. 

Along with working tirelessly, his sons learned the art of mechanics and craftsmanship, including his son, John, who enjoys building race cars. He always supported his youngest daughter, Ann, in all her ventures in sports and orchestra, sacrificing what little time he had so he could be a part of her activities. He enjoyed visiting Joe and Karen and their families out of state, always insisting on driving (for the love of the road). He was happiest when surrounded by his family, or with a set of golf clubs in his hands, of course. 

Larry was preceded in death by his first wife Ida Jean, and his second wife Joan Louise. He is survived by his five children, several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild. He always loved his family, longed to have his grandchildren as a part of his life, though some separated by hundreds of miles. He greatly enjoyed talking about golf and mechanics to anyone who shared his interests.

He was often quiet, yet he could be quite stubborn and grumpy (we love you, dad!). Deep down, he was a kind heart and would always help his family and friends to the best of his abilities. He fought hard to be as independent as possible, and not to burden his children. In the end, the love of his family endures forever as he peacefully passed on. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be on July 22, 2026 at St. John Vianney Catholic Church located at 4101 Clyde Park Ave SW, Wyoming, MI 49509. Visitation will be from 10:00am-11:00am followed by Catholic Mass at 11:00am with military honors. Luncheon will be served after mass. 

A poem his son, Joe, relates to Larry: 

High Flight

By John Gillespie Magee Jr.

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth

And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;

Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth

of sun-split clouds,—and done a hundred things

You have not dreamed of—wheeled and soared and swung

High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,

I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung

My eager craft through footless halls of air ....

Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue

I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace

Where never lark, or even eagle flew—

And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod

The high untrespassed sanctity of space,

Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.