Lawrence N DeBeau

On June 25th, 1926, in Detroit, Michigan, Lawrence “Larry” Noman DeBeau was born to the parents of Maybelle Pearl Mosher and Leo James DeBeau. Living in Michigan with his parents and sister, Doris Marie Glines, Lawrence attended the Saginaw High School and graduated in 1944. Soon after graduation, Lawrence enlisted in the United States Navy during World War II, where he served as a gunner’s mate on the USS Chehalis. After departing the U.S. Navy in 1946, Lawrence met his wife, Mildred M. Sparling in 1947 – at the same time, he was attending the Michigan State University where he worked for his Bachelor of Arts degree. Come 1950, the Bachelor’s was acquired and a radio career began in Flint, Michigan with WTAC FM. Throughout the 1950’s, Lawrence went on to have two children, Mark and Mystle, whilst fulfilling the positions of radio announcer and TV/weather broadcasts for Toledo, Ohio, WTOL.

In 1960, Larry moved his family to East Tawas, Michigan, where he became the owner of a Four Seasons Resort on Lake Huron. While juggling business ownership, Larry continued his passion for radio on WIOS AM and taught a variety of courses at the Tawas Area High School. By 1970, the resort was sold and the family moved to Cadillac, Michigan, where Larry’s career in radio/TV continued on WWTV/WWUP as a news anchor. 1973 saw the return of the Four Seasons Resort and a new opportunity in the hardware retail field. Thus, Tawas Hardware was born – now invested in multiple businesses, Larry’s passion for radio was not subdued. This was evident by the filing with the Federal Communications Commission for Larry’s very own FM Broadcast License and the subsequent licensure in the spring of 1973. By September, Tawas Hardware was sold and WDBI-FM of Tawas City Michigan was live. Located at the south end of Tawas City, the studios containing WDBI-FM and Millie’s operated in tandem.

With WDBI-FM’s success, Larry’s interest in radio had him pursue opportunities located in Punta Gorda, FL, where he soon moved. Purchasing of WCCF-AM and WQLM-FM occurred here and due to their success, new studios were built on Alligator Creek, Punta Gorda. Come 1984, the stations were sold to a newspaper/radio chain out of West Virginia and the intent to retire was considered. However, Larry purchased an AM in Redding, California, but sold this within two years so that he could return to the eastern side of the United States and settle in Hendersonville, NC. After North Carolina, Larry finally decided to retire and move near family in Virginia. After several years in ownership of a gentlemen’s farm in Virginia, the desire to return to Florida’s warmer climate was sought. In the years moving back to Florida, Larry has owned six homes in the Punta Gorda/Charlotte County area.

In this time, Larry said farewell to his wife, Mildred in 2001. In 2002, Larry remarried to Jacquelyn Ann DeBeau, who preceded him in death in 2011. On September 3rd, 2020, Larry said goodbye to this world and is survived by a plethora of loving family members. Surviving Larry are his two children, Mark and Mystle, his grandchildren: Stephanie Tingler, Jennifer Messina, Brian Butler, Matthew DeBeau, and his great grandchildren: Jamison, Makenzie, Briar, Addie, Dutch, Lily, and Maddie. Because of the personality Larry possessed, he participated in various groups to include the Clam Lake Masonic Lodge (#331), the American Legion, the VFW, and the National Broadcasting Association. Due to his prior service in the U.S. Navy in WWII, Larry was also invited to partake in the Veterans Honor Flight, of which he participated in May of 2018.

Larry would ask that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the following charities he supported: The Wounded Warrior Project, St. Joseph’s Indian School, Muscular Dystrophy, and St. Jude Children’s Hospital. The family is planning an intimate and private ceremony in the summer of 2021, in Michigan, where Larry and his second wife, Jacqueline, will be laid to rest.