Laurence Stephen Shannon

Laurence (Larry) Shannon Jr. peacefully passed away at Glen Arbor Hospice House in Battle Creek, MI on Saturday, November 23, 2019 at the age of 90. Larry is predeceased by his beloved wife, Betty Shannon, parents Emma and Laurence Shannon Sr, all his siblings, Richard, Patrick, Patricia, Kathleen and Margaret. Larry will be lovingly remembered by his children, Colleen (Dave) Wright, Tammy (Ron) Vandermolen, step-children Jack (Kelly) Dygert, Paul Dygert and Sonia (Kathy) Dygert, his six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and friends. Larry was an accomplished welder/pipefitter of the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 357.   He was foreman on many significant jobs such as Consumer’s Palisade’s nuclear power plant and General Motors Fisher Body plant. In his youth, Larry had quite the reputation as one of the toughest football hitters in the history of Irish football.  He was a member of the St. Augustine football team, class of 1949.  He was twice named to the All-City football squad and an All-conference selection.   In 2005 he was inducted into the Kalamazoo Area Catholic Schools Athletic Hall of Fame.  In his later years, he enjoyed golf and was able to play many rounds on many different courses in many different states. Those who were fortunate to know Larry can tell you he didn’t know a stranger.  He enjoyed people and wasn’t bashful about striking up a conversation and sharing a few of his many life stories.  He will be missed by many. The family is grateful to the numerous neighbors and friends who made his remaining weeks memorable with the selfless care, attention and love they provided. The family will be remembering Larry during a private gathering and he and his beloved wife Betty will be interned together in the Spring of 2020 at Hope Cemetery in Texas Township.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Hospice of Southwest Michigan, 222 N Kalamazoo Mall #100, Kalamazoo, MI  49007 or the American Cancer Society at cancer.org. Arrangements by Redmond Funeral Home, 4100 S. Westnedge Ave. Kalamazoo, MI 49008 (269) 343-6156. www.redmondfuneralhomes.net