Laurence C. "Larry" Thomas

Laurence C. "Larry" Thomas, 70, of Granger, passed away on Wednesday October 24, 2018 following a eight year battle with Frontotemporal Dementia. He was born on February 28, 1948 in Chicago, IL to Kenneth and Charlyne (Knoll) Thomas. On June 26, 1976 he married Deborah Boland, who survives. Also surviving are his children, William (Amanda) Thomas of Osceola, IN; Sara (Kellen) Stark of Arvada, CO; a grandson, Kaine Thomas, a granddaughter, Rowan Stark and his mother, Charlyne Lind of Mishawaka. He was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Thomas and step-father Carl Lind. Larry’s career spanned more than 35 years in sales of Industrial Welding Supplies and Industrial Gases for fabrication.  He held various titles including VP of Sales at Mittler Supply and ended his career with Weldstar of Aurora, Illinois as an Industrial Gas Specialist. He was a Life Member of the American Welding Society.  He was a born salesman and an extremely hard working, problem solving man who loved his family dearly.  Larry was a U.S. Army Aviation Veteran.  He voluntarily served two tours in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot and was awarded the Bronze Star and Air Medal.  He was a member of the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association and the Military Officers Association of America. He was very proud that he was able to serve his country. He was a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church, South Bend. Larry was an excellent handyman and spent his most relaxing times boating with his family on the Great Lakes and especially in the Mackinac Island area.  The family would like to thank Larry’s caregivers including Cheryl Barker, Aseracare Hospice nurses, Norah, Nadia, Dorothy and Becca as well as Delaney. A special thank you to Heritage Point Memory Care staff where he spent his last days.  We are also grateful for Larry’s decision to help in the research to end FTD and other brain diseases at the Northwestern Cognitive Neurology & Alzheimer’s Disease Center. A Memorial Service will be held at 1 p.m. EST on Saturday November 17, 2018 at the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Dr., South Bend, where friends may visit beginning at 11 a.m.  In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to theaftd.org (Association for Frontotemporal Dementia). To send online condolences, please visit www.kaniewski.com

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