Obituary of Larry Dean Draves

Larry Dean Draves, died peacefully on March 1 2024.  He was born on 3^rd street in Midland to Earl J. and Evelyn (Fales) Draves on May 16, 1937.  Larry worked as a farm hand for Earl Gerstacker, Bartos builders, Lapelles greenhouse and retired from Dow Chemical.  He hunted deer, waterfowl and loved to fish, trap and camp.  He continued to hunt deer even after fighting off bladder cancer and Non Hodgins Lymphoma.  He retired from outdoor sports at the age of 83.   

 In his younger years, Larry played softball for Bartos Builders. He enjoyed playing cards and cribbage.  He was a bee keeper and raised cattle, poultry, rabbits, sheep and arctic fox for many years. He made grave arrangements and wreaths and helped run his parents Christmas tree business. Larry enjoyed working in his garden and maintained a large garden and canned the harvest through last fall.  He taught his children and grandchildren many life skills such as how to build a shed from scratch, how to roof a house, how to fish, hunt and trap. 

 Larry was always singing and enjoyed making up his own songs. He had a song for any occasion. He would call his kids and sing Happy Birthday. He even called on his own birthday singing happy birthday to himself!  He always kept in touch with his kids- calling them every other night to catch up on their lives.  They would answer the phone to hear “this is me, is this you?”

 He left behind many funny memories that we will forever cherish.  Larry leaves his wife and love of his life Beverly (Fisher) just shy of celebrating 65 years together, he met her while fixing fence posts on the farm and she was a school girl walking to the bus, they married April 4, 1959.

 He leaves his children, daughter Joann (Larry) Lightfoot, of Midland, Son Martin (Karen), of Petoskey, daughter Carol (Keith) Current of Owosso.  Grandchildren; Tim (Amy) Lightfoot, Kelley (Tim) Scott, Tom Lightfoot, Samantha (Matt) Roberts, and Mike (Courtney) Draves, great grandchildren Sofie and Marlee Roberts, Benny, Gray and Everleigh Scott, and Brentley Bowman. His sisters Myrna (Sam) Langston and Linda (Gary) Hall and several nieces, nephews and his good friend Carol.  He also leaves his rat terriers Joey and Jack.

 Per his wishes, he has been cremated and will be interred in a cemetery at a later date. To sign online guestbook, visit www.cremationsocietymidmi.com  Arrangements made with the Cremation Society of Mid Michigan.

 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Larry Draves, please visit Tribute Store