Larry Robert Spaulding
Larry Robert Spaulding, 76, of Bellevue, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on April 30, 2025 in Bellevue, MI. He was born on April 7, 1949 to Robert and Edna (Olmstead) Spaulding in Battle Creek, MI. Larry graduated from Bellevue High School in 1967. After graduation, he worked for Kellogg’s until being drafted in 1969 into the U.S. Army. Larry spent one year in the jungles of Vietnam. He was in the 199th Light Infantry Brigade as an infantry soldier. While in Vietnam he was awarded the Purple Heart. After his tour in Vietnam, he returned to Kelloggs and started a dairy farm on 5pt Highway in Bellevue. In 1978, Larry attended Reppert Auction School and became an Auctioneer. Larry started a Real Estate, Insurance, and Auction business in Bellevue. He continued his career for over 35 years, until he had a stroke in 2014, he really enjoyed being a realtor and auctioneer because he enjoyed talking with people and making new friends. Larry enjoyed going to the casino and playing Craps, riding ATV’s and traveling in his motorhome, attending Vietnam reunions in Washington D.C., camping in Baldwin, going fishing in Cananda, being with family and trap shooting with his cousin, Gary Spaulding. Larry was a member of the American Legion Post 280 in Bellevue and AMVETS 1988 Post in Baldwin. Larry was President of the Bellevue School Board, Police Commissioner of Bellevue, President of the Battle Creek Board of Realtors in 1999, along with many other voluntary roles. Larry had a great sense of humor and was often asked to speak on behalf of others at multiple funerals. He will truly be missed by all that knew him.
Larry is survived by sons, Rick (Tonya) and Randy (Naja) Spaulding; grandchildren, Lexy (Josh) Whitmore, Alizabeth Otto-Spaulding, Trevor (Kayti) Spaulding, Kayla and Jacob Spaulding; great-grandchildren, Evelyn and Ricki Whitmore; sister, Jean Thorndyke and brother-in-law, Ron Clark.
He was preceded in death by his parents Edna and Robert Spaulding; sister, Linda Clark and brother-in-law, Jay Thorndyke.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. with a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church – Bellevue, Bellevue, Michigan, with Reverend Don Francis, officiating.
Those wishing to make a memorial contribution in memory of Larry may do so to the Disabled American Veterans “DAV”.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services. Please visit https://www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, to sign the online guestbook, to share memories and pictures with the family.