To Larry"s Family. I also was a classmate and close friend of Larry's. And later became a member of the Methodist church.  For the brief time the Elliott family lived in Paw Paw, Larry and I became close friends,also to enclude his Mom and Dad. Our friendship also included joing the US Army on a Buddy plan.  Sorry to say afterArmy basic training, Larry and I were transfeered to separate locations, and we lost all ties with each other.  After my discharge from the Army I tried to locate Larry with no success.  I feel I missed a good part of his life.  My thoughts and prayers, are with the Elliott Family.
Jerry Owens, 1957 Classmate.
 

















army

To Larry's Family.
I was a class mate of Larry's when his father was our Minister at Paw Paw United Methodist Church. Larry was a good friend and through his father's ministry, made a big impression on my life. Your eulogy is a wonderful tribute to his life, and I am so sorry that we could not touch base with him when we had our 50th class reunion. It would have been great to see him and hear of his faamily. It sounds like he had a wonderful and full life and a great family after leaving Paw Paw. 
Blessings to all of you.
Laurel (Willsea) Sherburn

To Larry's Family: My family and I were members of the Methodist Church in Paw Paw when Rev. Elliot was the Minister. Larry and I were classmates and I remember his friendship with fondness. For some sad reason we were unable to find Larry when we had our 50th high school reunion and invited former classmates of the younger years. It would have been nice to know Larry as the man described by son Matt's eulogy. What a fine tribute it was. On a personal level we were even closer than DeWitt as we live on the Manistee River in Kalkaska County and wish we had known your family was near by.

I, too, was a classmate of Larry at Paw Paw High School.  I also was a member of the United Methodist church where his father was the pastor in the early to mid 50's.  After reading the eulogy, I know that the acorn did not fall far from the tree, and that the next acorn did not fall far from that tree either.  Those of us who knew the Elliott family will always have fond memories of those brief years we were together.  May God bless all that were part of Larry's world.
Larry Burns
Class of '57 Paw Paw High School

I was a classmate of Larry's at Paw Paw High School. He was a very good miler and a better person.
He encouraged me to run the mile.
He was much better than I and always
had a positive comment to make sure
I kept going. He truly was a diamond
in the rough and I am not surprised at all with the way he lived his life.
We tried to find him for our 50th class reunion, with no success.
A fellow classmate and miler, Larry Burns, felt certain last week that he finally was catching up to Larry's whereabouts. Many of the Paw Paw guys have fond memories of Larry and your family should be proud of who he was and who he became.
John Hrycko '57 Paw Paw MI

Full text of Matt Elliott's eulogy:

Dad’s Eulogy – March 5, 2010  
Central United Methodist Church
Lansing, MI

Thank you all for joining us to remember and honor my father, Larry Elliott.  Joining Shirley, my brother Joe and myself are my wife, Anne and our children, Jack and Meg, Larry’s brother Grant, our family's lifelong friends, and Larry's colleagues, students, nieces and nephews.  Your presence is a great comfort to us, and we thank you for your support today.  

We're also going ask for it in the days and years to come, because Larry Elliott was such a good guy, that it's hard to say goodbye.  But sadly that time has come.  So I'd like to honor my dad today by sharing a few things that made him a unique blessing to all of us.  My hope is that this celebration of his life of active service becomes the teacher's last lesson.

Let's start with the basics. Larry was born not far from where we sit on March 15, 1937 to the Reverend Marcel and Grace Elliott. He graduated from Western Michigan and Michigan State, and led a life characterized by service.  For over 30 years Larry was a teacher at Otto Middle School and was a fire science instructor for Lansing Community College and the State of Michigan. Along the way he was also a member of 4 fire departments. 

An Army veteran, Larry served as a member of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, achieving the designation of Master Helmsman aboard the Mackinaw, a Great Lakes ice breaker.  Larry's greatest joys outside his work were his family, travel, boating and spending time at the cottage on Blue Lake.  He also enjoyed the Spartans, although I have to tell you that relationship could be testy at times.

Those are the basics -- the biographical equivalent of name, rank and serial number -- but they don't tell the whole story.  The basics don't tell you how my dad was kind, hard working, disciplined and honorable -- in word as well as in deed.  It was that integrity that formed the basis of his authority.  You didn't want to let down someone so honest and dependable.  

And to me, he was almost monastic in the quiet, humble way he went about his business.  So much so, that in Buddhist circles it would be said, with great admiration, he chopped wood and carried water.  This means he was present to the task at hand, and by completing those tasks, found peace, purpose and enjoyment, even in the mundane.    

Well, dad didn't view himself as a Buddhist, but as I humbly stand here in this grand church eulogizing my father at the same pulpit used by his father, I'm nevertheless convinced dad lived life in a very Zen-like way.  

Let me explain.  First, dad patiently accepted life and the people in it on their terms. Second, he didn't argue with the reality of what was, he just accepted what is -- unless of course “what is” was a crushing Spartan loss.  And above all else, dad didn't waste time thinking about what could be, he just got down to the business of doing.
Simply put, Larry Elliott chopped wood and carried water.  And he did so gloriously.  I believe most people would regard working 3 jobs for 20 years a life of suffering, but to my dad it was just life.  He still found joy, and he still had a lot of fun.  

Aside from his shockingly large collection of uniforms, on the surface LJ seemed like a pretty straight-forward guy.  Give him an honest day's work, a fair paycheck, a decent meal and a God willing, a slice of Anne’s pie (or maybe a beer from me), and he was happy.  

And while all these things are true, there is profound depth in that simplicity.  He wasn't trying to save the world, he wasn't trying to change the world, he just wanted to leave his piece of it better than he found it.  
And he did.  Because with every machine he fixed, every field he plowed, every student he taught, every fire he extinguished, every life he saved, he changed our worlds.  All by doing what for him was chopping wood and carrying water.  

A lot of this chopping and carrying was done in devotion to his family -- first and foremost to Shirley, his wife and our mother, whom he loved and supported for the last 46 years.  

For Joe and me, dad was an engaged and affectionate father, and since we don't have the 4 hours it would take to truly describe his impact on us, I'll just say that for us our dad is the role model for what a man, husband and father should be.  

Like a fine wine, my dad's parenting skills only got better with age, making him an incredible grandfather to our children, Jack and Meg.  I'm grateful for the time they spent with dad, and we're all going to miss it.

By my reckoning, dad was continuously employed for over 60 of his 72 years, frequently holding several jobs at one time.  Now despite the fact that dad worked harder than nearly anyone I've every met, he wasn't a workaholic.  He was working to serve his family and what I now think of as his ministry:  Otto, LCC, the fire service and the Coast Guard.  

Even though my dad spent the better part of his life working, that didn't mean he wasn't having fun -- he just took his fun where he could find it. Sometimes fun meant just bumming around with Joe and me, sometimes it meant chatting up his co-workers or helping his neighbors fix the mower.  Occasionally, it meant torching a building or climbing an aerial ladder with the fire fighters, and a lot of the time it meant hanging out with good friends and family.  

As for Mom, Joe and me, we will always cherish Lake of the Pines, evenings and vacations with the Daniels, and spending weekends at the Grindbergs Farm, which gave dad a chance to get in a little throttle time on a tractor, and afforded Joe and me the chance for the unsupervised operation of heavy machinery.  

Morrie and Ruth Grindbergs, and Jim and Sarah Daniel have been the anchor friendships in my mom and dad's lives.  Their children are brothers and sisters to Joe and me.  We thank you for your love, as we walk this new path together.  The only good news here is that after 15 years, dad and Morrie are back in the barn together -- although Jack, Jim and I now need a fourth on Sunday mornings.

One of the things that made my dad a natural teacher was the fact he remained a student right up until his last days.  For the record, the last exam he took was for a commercial drivers license he received three weeks ago, which shows you how dad never stopped educating and stretching himself.  

He enrolled in undergrad at the age of 26, he supported his wife in doing the same when she was 30, he changed his teaching emphasis 15 years into his primary teaching career, he created an entire fire training curriculum as a second job, he took up golf in his 40s to hang out with his buddy and his sons, and he became a helmsman on a Coast Guard ice breaker in his 60s.  You don't do any of that unless you have the courage to continue to learn -- even when you're supposed to be the teacher.

To counterbalance his active life, my dad would seek solitude in the spaces where it lay: at the wheel of the car on a long drive, at the helm of ship during a night watch, in the seat of a tractor while plowing and mostly at the cottage on Blue Lake.  He loved nature and he loved to be on or near water, so it didn't matter if there were chores to do, so long as he could chop wood and carry water with the smell of sand and pine in his nose.  I will miss watching the sun set over Blue Lake after dinner with my dad, but I'm so glad I got to tell him stories of being with many of you while sitting there on that deck with him.

When the doctors told him a little over a week ago there was nothing more they could do, Larry didn't cry.  He just quietly went home. On Saturday, he died. No more wood to chop, no more water to carry.  But I hope in telling you about all the action that made up Larry Elliott's life, you see there are eternal truths about the importance of how we do our work, the integrity of our word, the importance of our families and the necessity for joy.  Therein lie the teacher's final lessons.
Finally, I have several thank yous that I'd like to issue on behalf my father and our family:
1. I'd like to thank all the former students who over the years stopped my dad in public to say hello.  It validated his work and forever coined an exchange in our family that went something like, "Who was that, Larry/Dad?" "Hmm... former student"

2. Thanks to the Coast Guard for giving my dad the opportunity to drive the Mac.  One of the proudest days of his life (and mine in the telling) was docking it at Navy Pier in Chicago.

3. Thank you to Lansing Community College for recognizing his contribution to the fire science program.  I'm sure he will enjoy seeing his body being carried away today in the fire truck that bears his name.

4. Thanks to my brother, Joe, who cared for him these past few weeks.  Thanks for brining him in to port.

5. Thanks to our mother, Shirley Elliott.  As you've said many times, when you found him, Dad was a diamond in the rough.  And although you've never admitted it, I suspect you might have had a few rough edges, too.  It seems to me that over the years you polished each other into beautiful gems.  So on behalf of three rough diamonds, thanks for your love and patience with dad and with Joe and me. 

Lastly, I'd like you all to know that in the hours before he died, Joe and I told my dad what difference he made in our lives, the lives of his friends and family and the lives of his students.  In essence, what we told him was, by chopping wood and carrying water all those years, he left all our lives better than he found them.

Thank you, and God bless you.

Shirley,

So sorry to hear about your loss.  My deepest sympathy is with you and your family.

What moves through us is a silence, a quiet sadness, a longing for one more day, one more word, one more touch, we may not understand why you left this earth so soon, or why you left before we were ready to say good-bye, but little by little, we begin to remember not just that you died, but that you lived. And that your life gave us memories too beautiful to forget.

We were so blessed to have neighbors as wonderful as the Elliotts.  Larry was truly a good guy!    Matt did a beautiful eulogy for his father.  Both of Larry's sons must be proud of their father.  Our thoughts are with you all during this difficult time.

Shirley, sorry to hear of your loss. Sue and I are in Gulf Shores. I just happened to come across the notice. Many good memories of Larry at LTFD.
Ralph Swan LTFD Retired.

Matthew Elliott delivered one of the best eulogies I have ever heard, anywhere. It was a fitting tribute.

It was a great pleasure and an honor to have a chance to know you Mr. Elliott. My condolences to to your family and all of the people that you had a chance to touch and all of the peoples lives you had a chance to impact in your life. You will be missed and always honored among those who had the chance to meet you. My only sense of solace comes from knowing that you are in a much better place and still looking down on us all from above. 
50th Fire Academy

Larry and Shirley were wonderful neighbors.  I would watch their grandchild for them on occasion when they'd go watch the MSU games.  I miss watching Larry and my dad out talking by the shed, watching Larry mow the lawn and throw the frisbee for Billy. He was a very sincere, kind man and I'm so sorry for you loss.

My evening walks will not be the same without running into Larry and Shirley and catching up on family and events.  I have accumulated so many fond memories over the past 25 years of knowing such a great man and wonderful family; especially the times at Blue Lake.  You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

Please accept my deepest sympathy. Larry was both a fine person and outstanding teacher. He touched many lives.

Mr. Elliott was an inspiration to so many people. He will be missed.

My condolences to you and your family. It was truly an honor to have Mr. Elliott as one of my instructors during the Fire Academy. His personal words of wisdom will be remembered always. He will truly be missed.

Dear Shirley, and family:  It was with sadness that we read about Larry's death. We never did get to see him when he was in Cheboygan. Your life will be filled with all of the memories of your life together. You are all in our thoughts. Andrea & Keitha VerPlanck., Cheboygan

Shirley - So sorry to hear of your loss.  My thoughts and prayers are will you.  Cherish the great memories I know you have.

Shirley, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in this time of sorrow. I didn't know Larry. But I am sure he was special, just like you. I remember how you made our Worldly Women Italy trip a great one.

 Shirley & Family I am so very sorry  to hear about the passing of your husband
 Larry. He was a wonderful teacher and a very nice gentle man. He will be missed.
                              Beverly Spooner-Secretary  Otto Middle School

Mr. Elliott was a great man. He will be missed by so many. My prayers for you.

Mr Elliott always had smiling face, a helping hand, and a kind reassurance. I am sure every one of your former students appreciated your attributes and wonderful qualities just as I did. A thank you for everything! Top line Safety!...Bottom Line Excellence!. We will never forget. 
LCC Fire Academy 46th

What a great guy. Always quietly helping others up at Blue Lake, but never taking credit or drawing attention to himself for all he did. I'll miss him every summer at sundown campfire time.

Dear Joe,

     We were all sadened to hear of your families loss.  I have thought about the past - and I remember MSU tailgating, all the crazy stuff we got away with, and the fact that your dad touched so many lives in enique ways. Please give all of your family our best.  We will be unable to attend the funeral because we are vacationing in Florida.

                                                                           Yours truly,
                                                          Mike,Logan,Dave,Jennine Emmons

I had Mr. Elliott as my fire instructor over at Lansing Comm. College. He was a great man, great sense of humor and very passionate man. You will be missed sir! "TOP LINE!"

My thoughts are with you, I am unable to attend the services but I am sending my prayers of healing for the family.
I thank Larry so much for all his assistance in my career and life, he did so much and asked so little..........THANKS

To the entire Elliott family, Olivia and I were touched by the beautiful description of the life and legacy of Larry Elliott. We are glad to have met him during our time at Blue Lake. Our deepest condolences to all, especially our dear friends, Anne, Matt, Jack and Meg ...We love you! Rebecca and Olivia King

Dear Shirley,
I am truly sorry for your loss. May God surround you and your family with His loving arms and comfort you during this time.
Carolyn Haines

Shirley, Matt and Joe - Our deepest sympathies to all of you during this very difficult time.  Larry was a great man, a great Spartan and a friend to so many- he will be missed.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this very difficult time.  The Forte's

Shirley,   My prayers and thoughts are with you in this time of sorrow. Fondly, Betsy Zubkus

Dear Shirley and Family:  I am sorry to learn of your loss.  I will include you in my prayers.  Deb Clawson, Stevensville, MI

Hi. I worked with Larry (briefly) in the Fire Academy at LCC. He was a great instructor. Students really benefited from his depth of knowledge. He knew how to get information across, and was very patient and understanding. When students finished with his course, they knew the material. He was high quality in teaching and excellence in his personal relationships with students and faculty. What a great loss to the fire service! It was always a happy moment to meet and greet him, as he was positive and encouraging. I am sorry for your loss. It is our loss as well, and we are the better for having known him.

We are so very sorry for your loss of Larry.  He was always so friendly to us.  We are in Florida for the winter and wish we were there to give you all a hug.  A special hug to Joe, one of my all time favorites.
Love and prayers, Jan and Ben Kinsey

Matt:

My deepest sympathy to you and your family for your loss.  The Spartans will miss his presence in the stands.  Although bittersweet, I loved the reference to his grand-dog.

I am one of his former students from Otto Junior High as it was known then.  He was one of those teachers you never forget because of his kindness and willingness to help all of his students.  My condolences to your family.

Thanks Larry for teaching my son Arthur Hart to be the great, safe fire captain he is at the Owosso fire department.

Matt and Family:

My condolences to you and your family.  Your father's service to many and love of family will forever live in you and the youngest Elliott generation.  You are all in my prayers and may you find strength in each other during this time.

Larry was the heart and soul of the LCC Fire Academy and Fire Science program. We all learned so much from him, he not only showed us what it was to be a good fireman, but he also showed what it was to be a good man. 

WHO ARE WE?
TOP LINE ....SAFETY!!!
BOTTOM LINE....EXCELLENCE!!!
(that will not be the same without Mr. Elliott, but we will go on as he would want us to)

Bill Pawluk
-LCC Fire Academy class of 1990

Shirley and Family, I was sorry to hear the sad news about your husband, Larry.  I didn't know your husband, but if we was anything like you, Shirley, he was special.

You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Kay VandenHaute

Shirley and Family, we were sorry to hear of Larry's passing.  His gentle and caring spirit will be carried on by the many lives he touched in the classroom, on the high seas, and in the many friendships he made.  We feel fortunate to have had Larry touch our lives.

Pam and Brian McLenithan  Wyoming, MI

Always calm, always understanding, always the gentleman and always someone we learned from. Rest well brother firefighter.

OBITUARY

Larry J. Elliott

March 15, 1937 – February 27, 2010

Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes

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