Lawrence (Larry) J LeClair Sr.

Lawrence (Larry) J. LeClair, Sr.   On Tuesday evening, October 13, 2020, after a long battle with COPD, congestive heart failure, and pneumonia, Larry passed away peacefully with his wife of 38 years, Dottie, by his side at Edenbrook of Appleton (formerly known as The Bridges of Appleton). 

Larry, the oldest child of August and Mary Ann (Brautigam) LeClair, was born in Appleton on June 4, 1933.  On his forty-ninth birthday, he married Dottie.  He always jokingly (?) said that a marriage license should need to be renewed every year just like a hunting license.  A quiet, bit of an introvert with a very dry sense of humor who tolerated his outgoing, politically active wife for all these years.

He served in the U.S. Navy as an Aircraft Mechanic from January 1952 to January 1956 and served aboard the USS Intrepid.  Upon returning home, he was employed by Kimberly Clark for forty-four years.  He was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, the VFW, and PACE Union.

He had two great passions in life besides his family – watching and armchair coaching the Packers to victory and watching the Bears and Vikings lose their games, and hunting which he enjoyed immensely with his brother David and brother-in-law Jerry.  Although truth be told, he shot more pictures in the woods than he did deer.   One story about hunting still sticks out.  Larry and his brother-in-law actually got a deer, brought it home, and hung it in the garage but not before spray painting the deer’s nose red and then telling his two oldest granddaughters who were around 4-5 that there would be no Christmas because they shot Rudolph.  Not a good time.

Besides his loving wife, he is survived by a very special daughter, Betsy Erickson; five grandchildren whom he loved beyond belief: Trish Erickson, Ashley (Adam) Eccles, Heather (Lloyd) Anderson, John (Meghan) Van Cuyk, and Amber Van Cuyk; six great-grandchildren whom he loved even more than thought possible: Anthony Erickson, Marian, Andrew, and Lily Eccles, Sarah and Faith Anderson; brother, Bill (Karen) LeClair; two sisters-in-laws, Sandy and Bonnie LeClair, nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and cousins.  Also left behind are his second family for 4 ½ years, the heroes of healthcare, all of the staff of Edenbrook who treated Larry and his wife with respect, dignity, and loving care, all of which will never be forgotten.  Two sons, Lawrence LeClair, Jr. and Robert LeClair also survive.

Going before him, besides his parents, were his “favorite” sister (his only one) Mary and husband Jerry Goehler, and brothers David, Roger, and Donald LeClair.

A funeral service for Larry will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2020 at 3:00 PM at Valley Funeral Home 2211 N. Richmond Street, Appleton.  Visitation will be from 2:00PM until the time of service.  Masks are required and social distancing is encouraged.

“I wanted you for life; you and me in the wind; I never thought there would come a time that our love story would end; it’s not easy to say good-bye.”

Love you forever and a day.  Dottie

To view the live stream on Facebook please follow the link:  https://www.facebook.com/Valley-Funeral-Home-938408146238680/?eid=ARAbSyIb8KsGs0Zo5HgACGKw1EjL3sx8fuduuqpz7dN938msZYyNJSXKwgmpr6Qgu5yyP806oPFaWCTf

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