CMU employee McDonald dies

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Larrie J. McDonald, a man who had “friends everywhere” in his 33 years of CMU service, died July 13 at age 56.
Larrie McDonald was born Aug. 13, 1942 in Mount Pleasant, where he had been a lifetime resident. He married Diana Sue Germain on Sept. 28, 1964.
For 33 years Larrie McDonald worked at CMU, spending most of his time as parts manager for Facilities Management. Diana McDonald said he ordered parts and spent a lot of time on the phone, especially with parts stores “making friends everywhere.
“He never had any problems in all the years he worked up there,” she said. “I’d say he enjoyed his job.”
Larrie McDonald’s time at CMU allowed him to see a lot of changes.
“He’s seen the university grow because he was there when it was just tiny,” Diana McDonald said.
Cal Cain, auto and equipment journeyman, said he worked with Larrie for more than 10 years in the garage. Larrie ordered parts and scheduled work, he said.
“He was like a right hand man,” Cain said. “He ordered parts and scheduled work.”
Diana McDonald said she was especially thankful to George Stansbury, who used to be a supervisor on the grounds at CMU and hired her husband into the job he retired with at CMU in heavy equipment.
“He (Stansbury) was the first one I saw at the funeral from his work and I really appreciate him,” she said.
Diana McDonald also said she was thankful for Cain and Greg Goffnett, a journeyman in maintenance mechanics for Facilities Management. Both men worked with Larrie in the garage the last years he was at CMU.
Although he liked his job, after several years of hard work, Larrie McDonald looked forward to retirement, and Diana McDonald wishes he could have enjoyed it longer.
Larrie had cancer removed in December, but had an aneurysm on his heart. He was referred to Ann Arbor and died there during the surgery.
“Since December, this last year has been nothing but medical,” she said.
Yet despite the hardship, Diana McDonald said her husband was always friendly and didn’t lose his sense of humor, often joking with doctors in Ann Arbor.
Always helpful, Larrie McDonald and his son would fix people’s motors or give car advice based on all his years of experience at CMU. Diana McDonald said he enjoyed being with his family and grandchildren, fishing, camping, hunting and watching auto racing and deer in the backyard.
He is survived by his wife Diana, three children: Vicki and Mike Fent of Lansing, Bill McDonald, Mount Pleasant, and Dan and Cheryl McDonald, also of Mount Pleasant; his father Dale McDonald of Mount Pleasant; seven grandchildren; two brothers Roger McDonald and Everett McDonald; and two sisters, Marlene and Karen. He was preceded in death by his mother Margene and an infant sister Reva Mae.
Funeral services were held for Larrie McDonald July 17 with the Rev. Tom Jones officiating. Memorial contributions can be made to Community Cancer Services of Isabella County. Call 772-6895 for more information.