Lawrence Stephen Muhlenforth Jr. C.W.O.5 (Ret.)

Lawrence Stephen Muhlenforth, Jr. C.W.O.5 Marines (Ret.), was born July 20, 1946 in Battle Creek, Michigan and passed away on June 23, 2015 in Ten Mile, Tennessee. A funeral service will be held on Monday, July 6, 2015 at 11:00AM at McAulay Wallace Mortuary Chapel in Yorba Linda. A graveside Committal Service will be held on Tuesday, July 7, 2015 at 10:45 AM at Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside, CA. As a child, Larry enjoyed school. He was a good student and accomplished pianist. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1965 and went through boot camp at MCRD San Diego. After boot camp, he attended NATCC in Memphis Tennessee where he graduated from Airframes Fundamentals and Jet Engine school. In 1966, he reported for duty to the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. His unit was deployed to Vietnam, where he went on to serve three tours. In 1969, he returned to civilian life and was married in 1970. Four years later, twins Stephanie and Melissa were born. He found great joy in fatherhood. Stephanie remembers her dad as a man who was loved by all and was the life of every get-together. He was gregarious and never met a stranger. He was generous man and willing to help any and all. Following a seven-year return to civilian life, he re-enlisted in 1977. In the years that followed, some of his assignments included: serving as an S-8 officer on the USS Ranger, serving as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineering officer, and his final duty as Rotary Wing and Engine Class officer. His military awards include: The Navy/ Marine Corps Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy/ Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Gold Star, and Combat Action Ribbon. After his retirement in 2000, he taught, and then served as Commandant, at Saint Catherine's Military Academy, before declining heath lead to his retirement from the work force in 2006. He and his wife Millie were active members of several associations, including: MOAA, AFRAC, FRA, MCAA, the Association of Naval Aviation, and the Disabled American Veterans. For the next 6 years, Larry and his wife Millie traveled and enjoyed family, until her death in 2012. Larry battled several health issues over the last few years. In May, he went to live with his step-daughter and her family in Yorba Linda in hopes of regaining his health. He passed away on June 23 while vacationing with the twins in Tennessee. He is preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence Senior and Naomi, and his wife, Millie. He is survived by daughters Stephanie and Melissa; step-daughters Cindy and Loree; sons-in-law Jeff, Michael, and Fred; stepmother Mary of Honolulu; and 6 grandchildren. The many notes from friends that have come in over the past week all seem to begin with "He was a great man and a great Marine." To that we will add: a great friend, father, and grandfather.