Larry W. Chambers
Larry W. Chambers, 86, of Linwood, MI our loving (stubborn) father, grandfather, brother and uncle, passed away on Wednesday, September 18th, 2024, at home. He was born in Sandusky, MI on January 10th, 1938 to the late George and Anna (Savant) Chambers. He spent his teens working on Bill Brown’s horse farm and enjoyed taking care of the race horses. This led to his love of horse racing and he was fortunate to attend the Kentucky Derby with his son and family after he retired.
He graduated from Sandusky High School and attended Central Michigan University where he graduated with a Master of Industrial Arts degree in Teaching. He taught for Bangor Township Schools for over 30 years before retiring in 1994. He was proud of the years he spent teaching Industrial Arts and building 15 houses with his students.
For 17 years, before and after his retirement from teaching, Larry could be found selling his college logos and other college souvenirs as a vendor at the University of Michigan home football games. Football Saturdays were a big production and often times he had 10 people helping sell his wares. Although he graduated from CMU, he was a big University of Michigan fan.
Known as the unofficial “Mayor” of Linwood he will forever be remembered for the time serving his community. Until recent years, he was active in the Civic Improvement Club, Lions Club, Park Board, and was a founding father of the Linwood Icehouse Museum, as well as the Linwood Pickle Festival.
He received the Edward Dunbar Rich award from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality for more than 25 continuous years of service to a municipal water district and recently retired as President of the Linwood Water Board after decades of service.
Larry will forever be known for his generosity to his school, family, and community. He was always there to lend a hand to anyone in need. His legacy is left in his pride and joy, his 3 grandsons, lan Diefenbach, Boyd Chambers and Brett Chambers; his daughter, Mary (Phil) Smith, daughter-in-law, Melissa Chambers; his sister, Georgia Chambers Hauk; nephew, Eric (Jeanne) Hauk and their children, Jake, Isabel, and Zach. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his nephew, Dean Hauk and beloved son, Scott Chambers.
The family wishes to express their thanks to the wonderful team of doctors, nurses, and caregivers at MyMichigan Health in Midland, as well as his many friends, neighbors and former students for their kindness, love and support.
Funeral service took place at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 24, 2024 at the Gephart Funeral Home. Officiating will be E.J. Brown. Private inurnment will take place at a later date in Greenwood Cemetery in Sandusky, Michigan. The family received visitors on Monday, September 23, 2024 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. and on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Those who wish an expression of sympathy are asked to contribute to The Little Stone Church education fund on Mackinac Island in Larry’s memory.