Larry J.R. Newman

Larry J.R. Newman was born on April 30, 1969 in Pontiac, Michigan. He graduated from Whittemore-Prescott High School in 1988, having had a very impressive high school track and cross country career. He still holds two records to this day. In 1990, Larry met his future wife, Melanie Durfee, and they wed in July 1995. Larry was an intelligent, hard-working, dedicated family man. He loved most any sport, helped coach his children’s sports teams, and played volleyball at church. Larry was an excellent woodworker and a talented handy man. He could fix almost anything around the house. He loved his family, his friends, his church, and U of M, and his career in respiratory therapy. During the many years he worked as an RT at West Branch Regional Medical Center, he was deeply devoted to and knowledgeable about his work and helped countless patients throughout his career. Larry leaves behind his wife Melanie, his children whom he loved with his life, Kayleigh Mona and Parker Hayden. He is also survived by his brothers-in-law Michael (Theresa) Durfee, David (Amy) Durfee, sister-in-law Wendy (Jeff) Fisher; and nieces and nephews Matthew and Brian Durfee, Dani, Sam and Drew Durfee, and Morgan, Joshua and Elijah Fisher. He is also survived by many aunts, uncles, and cousins by marriage, and numerous friends. Larry was preceded in death by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Otho and Mona Durfee. Larry will forever be remembered for playing basketball and watching movies with Kayleigh. Parker remembers Daddy as being “tough, brave, loving, a great Dad” and will miss him when he takes to the football field this summer and Daddy isn’t coaching. Melanie will miss his smile, his laugh, his strength, and the way he came through for her family in a pinch, and for the love he showed her father as he cared for him in his last days. Please remember Larry as the jovial, smiling, funny, helpful, devoted Christian man that he was and if you see his beloved children, share a fond memory you have of their Dad. Visitation at the Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in West Branch will begin on Thursday, April 21, 2011 from 6-9 p.m. and Friday from 3-9 p.m. On Saturday, Larry will lie in state at the Ogemaw Hills Free Methodist Church in West Branch beginning at 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. Pastor Bob Mohr will officiate with burial following at Brookside Cemetery, West Branch. Memorial Contributions may be made to the family.