Larry Lyle Johnson, age 80, a good and faithful servant, went peacefully into the arms of Jesus on March 13, 2021 in his home surrounded by his family.
He was born July 10, 1940 to Lyle and Helen (Hegle) Johnson. He married Carol Jeanne Larry on February 3, 1963. Larry and Carol graduated in 1959 from Ithaca High School and were blessed to be raised in Ithaca, Mich. where their families lived, worshipped and worked together.
Larry graduated in 1962 from Ferris Institute in Big Rapids, Mich. with an Architectural Technical Associate Degree. He was a partner at Keystone Design Group in Lansing where he supervised construction, retiring in 2003.
In 1978, he designed and built their home in Eaton Rapids, Mich. He was an active member of Robbins United Methodist Church and for the last ten years at First Baptist Church of Eaton Rapids.
He lived a generous life, serving God and others. In the early 1980’s he attended a mission trip to the Appalachian Mountains with his daughter’s youth group, where God drew his heart toward missions. He continued to serve and lead mission trips for thirty years. He loved the mountains and had a special place in his heart for Henderson Settlement in Frakes, Ky. Locally, he volunteered at Southside Community Kitchen, Youth Haven Ranch, and The City Rescue Mission of Lansing. For over twenty years he spent countless hours in his shop sharing woodworking talent with the We-R-A-4-H Club youth. He also served on the Aurelius Township Board for many years. He enjoyed woodworking, hunting and golfing.
His patience, gentleness, humility, and faith reflected his love for God, his family and his country. Rooted firmly in his faith, he faced his illness bravely and remained an inspiration and encouragement to us all.
He is survived by his wife, Carol; children, Lori (Walter) Irwin, Peggy (Ylli) Bodinaku, and Amy Ammann whom he loved as a daughter; five grandchildren: Kathryn (Adam) Yusko, Hannah Irwin, Amelia, Juliet, Christian Bodinaku; great-grandson Teodors Yusko. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Michael Johnson. He was welcomed in Heaven by his sons, Gregory and Gabriel.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 20, 2021 at the First Baptist Church with visitation taking place one hour prior to the service. Due to family health concerns, we are asking those attending to please wear a mask. For those unable to attend in-person, the service will be streamed via Facebook from the church’s website, facebook.com/FirstBaptistER.
Interment will be in Fowler Cemetery following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Henderson Settlement, P.O. Box 205, Frakes, KY 40940 or Youth Haven Ranch, P.O. Box 97, Rives Junction, MI 49277. To share memories or leave condolences please visit SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.
“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live.” John 11:25.