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Larry Hogmire

November 30, 1945 - February 28, 2018
Mattawan, MI

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At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

SPCA of Southwest Michigan
6955 West KL Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 344-1474
Web Site

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Ambati
1830 S. Westnedge
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 349-4961
Driving Directions
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Life Story / Obituary


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With a life that spanned times of great change in the world around him, Larry Hogmire made the most of everything. He was a hardworking man who believed that there is no such thing as a free lunch, and he inspired those around him to be their best as well. Larry was a loving husband and father who was blessed to witness his family tree blossom to include the grandchildren and great-grandchildren he cherished. He told great stories, and although he was a man of few words people knew to listen when he spoke. Life will never be the same without Larry here, but he leaves behind a timeless legacy that his loved ones will proudly carry on in his footsteps.

During the first half of the 1940s, the eyes of our nation were focused overseas as countless young servicemen and women were serving during WWII. Those who remained stateside became all too familiar with rationing on common goods such as paper, rubber, coffee, and sugar. There was dancing in the streets with the end of the war in 1945 while America made the shift to being a nation at peace once again. This was the same year that was marked with great anticipation in the lives of Neil and Maxine(Malcuit) Hogmire as they were awaiting the birth of their new baby as November was drawing to a close. Their wait was finally over on November 30th when the baby boy they named Lawrence made his arrival. The only child in his family, he was born in Battle Creek, Michigan, but was raised on the East side of Kalamazoo. An active boy, Larry experienced a typical upbringing for the youth of his generation. He attended local schools and was proud to attend Barbour Hall for a few years.

There was never anything of greater significance in Larry’s life than his loved ones. He was blessed to be a father to three amazing children, Lawrence Todd, Tammie Lynn, and Anthony John. New and exciting changes were in store for Larry when he was reunited with the woman who was the love of his life. Her name was Carol Snead, and although they had met while in junior high and had gone steady for about a week then, years passed before their paths crossed again at a New Year’s Eve party. They eventually got back together, and with a desire to spend the rest of their lives together Larry and Carol were married on May 15, 1971, in Vicksburg. They raised his three children in their home, first in Kalamazoo and later in Mattawan. Throughout his entire life Larry viewed his wedding day to be the greatest day of his life. He taught his family invaluable lessons such as how to be self-sufficient and how important it is to work hard. Larry enjoyed seeing his kids thrive, but he was also there to help if needed as he was a firm believer in taking care of your own. He believed in working hard, and he made sure that his children understood this as well.

As his family and friends can attest, Larry worked hard and long hours as a trucker in order to provide for his family. He started driving truck when he was 18, and over the years he racked up millions of miles. In fact, Larry was awarded by Holland Motor Freight for a million miles of safe driving. His routes were primarily East of the Mississippi, and he liked to say that he was a “prisoner of the highway.” Larry retired in 2011.

Although he was often gone, Larry did enjoy pursuing the things he enjoyed when he was home. He liked being at his home, surrounded by his family. Larry was a NASCAR fan whose favorite driver was Dale Earnhardt, Sr., and he liked watching old television shows, CNN, the Food Channel, and various game shows like Let’s Make a Deal and The Price is Right. He and Carol liked to fish, bowled for a number years, and Larry enjoyed motorcycle rides as well as going to Four Winds Casino. When it came to music he liked Earth, Wind & Fire and Hall and Oates. Larry was a meat and potatoes type of guy who enjoyed a good meat sandwich from Portillo’s from Chicago, and a bottle of hot sauce was usually within reach.

All who knew Larry Hogmire would agree that he was one of the hardest working people around. He did take the time to enjoy life, too, and everyone knew they could always count on him to tell it like it is. Larry was disciplined and even set in his ways at times, and he was known for saying, “Get ‘er done,” and “I’m going to the ga-rage.” Deeply loved, he will be forever missed.

Larry Hogmire, of Mattawan, died on Wednesday, February 28, 2018. Members of his family include his wife, Carol; 3 children: Larry, Tammie, and Tony Hogmire; 2 grandchildren: Ashley (Dustin) Quick and Eric (Mikelle) Louden; and 3 great-grandchildren: Brady, Cohen, Logan. Cremation has taken place and there will be a private family gathering to celebrate his life. Please visit Larry’s personal web page at www.BetzlerFuneralHome.com, where you can archive a favorite memory or photo and sign his online guestbook . Memorial donations may be made to the SPCA of Southwest Michigan. Arrangements by Betzler Life Story Funeral Home, 6080 Stadium Drive; Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900.

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