Lawrence F Swan

Lawrence {Larry} F. Swan 84, of Sarasota, Florida, peacefully passed into his Heavenly Home on Thursday April 19th, 2018. Larry was born in Union City, Michigan in July of 1933 to Geraldine and Maurice Swan Sr. , during the tough times of the depression. In fulfilling a dream of owning a farm, The Swan family moved to Athens, Michigan with his 2 brothers, Maurice Jr. and Kenneth, where Larry grew up and graduated from Athens High School in 1951. This is where he met the love of his life and high school sweetheart, Nancy Louise Randall. On January 7th, 1951, they married on the Randall farm.

After marriage, they moved to the "Big City" of Battle Creek, Michigan to find work and raise their family consisting of 3 children; Douglas L. {Mary} of St. Pete, Florida, Stephen R. {Cyndi} of Sebring, Florida, and Debora L. {Raymond} Pontoni of Osprey, Florida. In the early years of their marriage, Larry worked for Post Foods while taking TV repair classes on the side. His dream was to eventually own his own TV repair service business one day. This is where he met his future partner Don Loggins. So in 1958, Eastern TV Sales and Service was born. It grew and thrived during the booming time of new technology of the 60's for 21 years. Besides raising children and a new business, Larry had many outside interests through the years. In his spare time he took up roller skating and became the Captain of the "Midway Wildcats" back in the last 50's, and 60's. The team acheived many National 1st place awards under his leadership. From there Larry and Nancy's interest spread to a less physical activity, Square Dancing. They were hooked and loved the fun and fellowship with friends. Nancy enjoyed making all their matching outfits. Larry was a man of many talents from sports, building things with his hands, to fixing things. But mostly he enjoyed being a funny guy and performing . Anyone could tell you that he earned his High School nick-name "Corky" for a reason. He loved to act and sing, especially in a quartet. His sharp comedic timing was a God given gift at an early age. After being introduced to Barbershop music, he knew he was hooked. He was a natural for the 4 part harmony style and made a "Hobby" of it as a member of the Barbershop Harmony Society {SPEBSQSA] for 53 years. He joined the Battle Creek Cereal City Chorus in 1964 and quickly got into a quartet with other great guys. He was in quite a few quartets through the years but the one he was most known for was the "Harmony Hounds Comedy Quartet". From 1968 to 1979, he was known as the "Big Dumb One". While with the Hounds, he had an opportunity to entertain audiances across the US, Canada, and abroad. In 1970, the Hounds were asked by the US Government to go on a USO Tour to sing for the wounded service men of the Vietnam War for 21 days. The Hounds also were asked to go to Europe to help open new horizons of Barbershop Harmony cross the pond. It was said that, "They never won a contest, but they have never lost a show!"

Larry was also instrumental in taking up the leadership role as a Chorus Director, Coach, and a Mic Man. He MC'd many shows and contests in his day. He became director of the BC Cereal City Chorus and along with the ladies Battle Creek Sweet Adeline's in the 60's and 70's. Larry held many roles in his days, President, Show Chairman, Script writer, you name it, he did it. He was the recipient of many awards in the Pioneer District of Michigan. "Barbershopper of the Year", "Boty Award", and "Hall of Fame Award". With recruiting a whopping 32 "Men of Note" in his 53 years in the Society. In 1979, due to Nancy's health, the decision was made to sell the business and head south to sunny Sarasota, Florida. They dabbled into Real Estate then Larry was hired at Comcast Cable as their Commercial Accounts Executive in Sales in 1980. He excelled there till his retirement in 1996. In that time they moved from Sarasota to Ellenton, Florida to be closer to friends. They began living their dream of traveling in their motor home across the country. When moving to Florida, It didn't take long for Larry to dig his heals in and get involved in the Sarasota Chorus of the Keys organization. Plus finding another comedy quartet, "Joker's Wild" to sing in. They traveled the state of Florida in the 80's and 90's. Due to his leadership abilities, he was then voted to the position of Sunshine District President in 1995 & 96. He MC'd many shows and District Contests as well. It earned him the coveted District "Boty Award" and Hall of Fame Award. His last quartet of his career was named "Sunny Side Up". It kept him busy in his golden years as he loved singing with his buddies till his retirement in 1999. It was then that Nancy had her 1st stroke and he dedicated his life to her care till her passing in 2007. He then moved in 2008 to Sebring to be closer to son, Steve. Larry lived there till 2016, when due to ill health, moved back to Sarasota to Sunnyside Village ALF to be closer to daughter, Deb. Larry drew closer to his faith in recent years and focused on his love for his Lord and his family. He leaves his 3 children, 4 Grand Children; Sonny L. {Sandra} Swan of Germany, Darin R. Swan of Philadelphia, PA., Jeremy M. Swan {Brenna} of Oviedo, Fl., and Abbey L. Collins of Pinellas Park, Fl. And 7 Great-Grand Children; Caleb, Zoe, Christopher, Cooper, Camden, Colby, and Caitlin. They were all his pride and joy! Survivors include: Sister-in-law, Frances Swan, Battle Creek, Mi., Ann Brewer, Kalamazoo, Mi., Darlene Randall, Athens, Mi., Oma Randall, of Texas, Jane Olmsted, East Leroy, Mi. Also cousin Jean Brough of Battle Creek, Mi. Plus many beloved nieces and nephews. Preceded to Heaven are; his parents, his loving wife Nancy of 56 years, brothers, Maurice Jr. and Kenneth. Brothers-in -law Harvey, James, and William Randall.

There will be a "Celebration of Life" service held in Larry's honor, Friday April 27th, 2018 at: Sunnyside Village Chapel, 5201 Bahia Vista St., Sarasota, Florida 34232. Visitation at 10 am. Celebration Service at 11am. Conducted by Chaplain Jarvis Hochstedler and Stephen Ditchfield. In lieu of flowers, please send a memorial contribution in Lawrence Swan's name to: Barbershop Harmony Foundation, 110 7th Ave. N. Nashville, Tenn. 37203, c\o "Keep A Melody Ringing" fund. harmonyfoundatin.org.