BRUCE W. LARKIN JR.

Bruce W. Larkin Jr., who was born on July 27, 1949, in Flint, and died Dec. 9, 2023, from a heart attack, challenged the odds throughout his life. As a high school senior, he was a starting guard on his football team, despite weighing only 135 pounds. As a U.S. Army veteran, he was told he wouldn’t live a long life after being almost fatally wounded by a land mine in Vietnam, yet he lived until 74 years old. As an amputee whose other leg was also heavily damaged, he was told he would never walk again or be able to use his one hand properly, but he proved them wrong by not only walking but also enjoying the game of golf, especially with his father and namesake near their summer home in Oscoda.

Bruce also had a sharp mind, so a college professor urged him to go into physics. But he loved helping children, so he chose teaching instead, graduating with bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Central Michigan University and teaching elementary school students near his home in Lehigh Acres, Fla. With a strong faith, he attended seminary school for a year and later in life taught Sunday School and Bible School. He also helped fellow veterans and was an Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor.

Bruce was known for being extremely generous to his family and friends, giving them whatever he could to help them. He also helped young children by taking some into his home to provide direction when needed.

His love of Northern Michigan brought him back to the Great Lakes state, where he lived in Harrisville and finally Presque Isle. He was loved deeply by his wife, Spring, and his surviving brothers and sisters: Maria, Theresa Jilek, Greg, Jim, Letty Hulsman, Dennis and Rebecca. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bruce and Letty, brothers Kevin and Craig, and nephew Justin. He also leaves a daughter, Anissa.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on June 8 at Haynes Community Church on Shaw Road in Haynes Township, north of Harrisville.