Larry Padgett

Larry Roger Padgett, 67, died at 9:23 PM EDT on Saturday, May 22, 2010 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in Saint Joseph, Michigan after a long battle with liver and kidney disease. He resided nearby in Buchanan, Michigan.

He was born on October 8, 1942 in Industry, Illinois. During his lifetime, he also lived in Macomb, Peoria, and Chicago, Illinois, and several Chicago suburbs. He married Tonna Evans on June 26, 1981. She survives.

Also surviving are his mother, Doris Morris, of Macomb, Illinois; his sister, Betty Sperry, of Macomb, Illinois; and three sons and one granddaughter. They are Nick (Deanna) Padgett, of Chicago, Illinois and their daughter, Ainsley; Ryan Padgett, of Buchanan, Michigan; and Jeremy Padgett, of Buchanan, Michigan. Three nieces and four grand nieces and grand nephews also survive Larry. They are Camie (Jan) Fourie, of Tremont, Illinois and their sons Preston, Chayce, and Chrisjan; Abbie Sperry, of Roseville, Illinois; and Nicole (Chad) Daugherty, of Cerro Gordo, Illinois and their daughter Haley. Larry’s first wife, Janice Johnson, of Macomb, Illinois also survives.

His father, Quentin “Bud” Padgett, preceded him in death.

Mr. Padgett had a deep faith in Jesus Christ and enjoyed teaching Sunday school and other church activities. He actively studied the Bible and shared his faith with others. For several years in Peoria in the 1980s, he led a church-based divorce recovery group using instruction materials he developed. He also hosted a television show in Peoria that helped others deal with the emotional difficulty that follows divorce.

Friends will remember Larry as a jokester with a good sense of humor. He loved to laugh and he adored babies.

He graduated from Macomb High School in 1960, where he lettered in football and track, and long held the school record for the 220-yard dash. He received a bachelor’s degree in architectural engineering from Chicago Technical College in 1962. He worked throughout his lifetime in various engineering, manufacturing, and painting contracting positions. These included King-Seeley Thermos, Bower Roller Bearing, and Mason-Page in Macomb, Illinois; Weldun Automation in Buchanan, Michigan; and Capital Technologies in South Bend, Indiana; among others. He constantly tinkered with inventions, with his most prominent contribution being the creation of a tap/faucet on a Thermos jug.

He was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan, and in his final years was able to fulfill long-standing dreams to attend a World Series game (2006) and an All-Star Game (2009) in St. Louis with his oldest son Nick. Larry enjoyed discussions of baseball statistics with his youngest son Jeremy, who to his chagrin is a Chicago Cubs fan. Larry enjoyed racing and helping his son Ryan compete around the country in kart racing.

Two visitations will occur, the first at the Pike Funeral Home, 9191 Red Arrow Highway, in Bridgman, Michigan, on Wednesday, May 26, from 6-8 PM EDT. The second will be in Macomb, Illinois on Friday, May 28, at 6-8 PM CDT at the Clugston-Tibbitts Funeral Home, 303 East Washington Street. A memorial service will occur on Saturday, May 29 at 10 AM CDT at Clugston-Tibbitts. Burial will follow at the Good Hope Cemetery in Good Hope, Illinois. The family will provide lunch immediately after the burial ceremony, at the VFW, 1200 East Jefferson Street, in Macomb, Illinois, beginning around 11:30 AM CDT.

Memorials made by made to Woodland Shores Baptist Church, 3555 West Shawnee Road, Bridgman, Michigan 49106, or Hospice at Home, 4025 Health Park Lane, Saint Joseph, Michigan 49085.

Visitation

6 - 8 PM ,Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Pike Funeral Home, Boyd Chapel
9191 Red Arrow Hwy Bridgman, MI 49106

Visitation

6 - 8 PM ,Friday, May 28, 2010
Clugston-Tibbitts Funeral Home
303 E Washington Street Macomb, IL 61455

Memorial Service

10 AM ,Saturday, May 29, 2010
Clugston-Tibbitts Funeral Home
303 E Washington Street Macomb, Il 61455

Burial

Good Hope Cemetery
Good Hope, IL