| Graduation Year | Class of 1955 |
| Date of Passing | Sep 13, 2011 |
| About | ST. JOSEPH, MI: Larry Lee Crist, 74, of St. Joseph formerly of Zanesville, OH, passed away Tuesday, September 13, 2011 peacefully at his home after a short but courageous battle with cancer. Larry was born in Newark, Ohio on September 4, 1937 to Pauline and Royal (Pat) Crist. They are awaiting him in Heaven. Larry graduated from Zanesville Ohio High School in 1955 and was a Captain of the Blue Devils Basketball team that won the State championship that year. He graduated from Miami University at Oxford, Ohio where he met Donna Kaufman. They were married on August, 31, 1958. He played basketball for Miami and was in the NCAA tournaments twice, making it to the top 16 bracket once in 1958. Larry worked for Michigan Gas in Monroe, MI and was eventually transferred to St. Joseph, MI where he has lived since 1974. He also worked for Pinkerton and Coloma Frozen Foods as a supervisor. He spent many hours volunteering at the Center for Outpatient Services on Hollywood Rd., and made many friends there in other volunteers and in patients. He was inspired by the grace and strength in which he saw patients handle their illnesses and the compassion shown by the staff and volunteers. Larry loved being with his family, fishing, watching sporting events of all kinds, traveling, and his dog Molly. Larry leaves behind his wife of 53 years, Donna Kaufman Crist; daughter, Terry Fisk of St. Joseph, sons, Mark (Louise) Crist of Coldwater, MI, and Jeff (Holly) Crist of Little Falls, MN. He also leaves behind to cherish wonderful memories with their "Papa" four grandchildren, Rafael (Leah) Gonzalez of Kill Devil Hills, NC, Erica Crist Krenzalek (Joshua) of Oceanside, CA, Jillian and Sierra Crist of Coldwater, MI; and great grandchildren, Riley, Ella, and Dazi Gonzalez of N.C.; his sister, Margaret Stansberry of Zanesville, Ohio and brother, Carl (Leatha) Crist of Dayton, OH also survive; along with nieces and nephews in OH. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother in law, Virgil Stansberry. Please join the family in honoring Larry's life with a visitation held 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday, September 16, 2011 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Services will be held 11:30 a.m. Saturday, September 17, 2011 at the funeral home with pastor Gerald Schroer officiating. Cremation will follow the service. |
