LeRoy William Larson, a resident of Paris, Michigan, passed away peacefully with his family by his side October 29, 2026, at the age of 96. LeRoy was born in Larimore, North Dakota and grew up on a farm west of Larimore. He was born July 9, 1930, the son of Emil and Agnes (Thorsell) Larson. LeRoy attended West End #15 rural school until it closed due to a lack of students, then off to Larimore he went where he graduated from Larimore High School in 1948. He was a life member of the VFW Post 4324, Wahpeton, North Dakota and a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Big Rapids MI.

In October 1948, he joined the Army and spent most of his enlistment on Guam. After being honorably discharged in 1952 he attended the State School of Science in Wahpeton, ND taking up auto mechanics. It was there that he met the love of his life, Esther Andel. They were married on January 22, 1954, and together they raised their three children living in Larimore ND, then Wahpeton ND, then in 1966 LeRoy moved his family to Big Rapids Michigan where they remained when he was recruited to teach fuel injection systems in the Heavy Equipment Service at Ferris State College (University), retiring as an Assistant Professor in 1988.

When LeRoy was not teaching, he spent many summers calling on farmers with his tractor dynamometer to check their tractors and doing tune-ups. Most weekends he and Esther were at tractor pulls checking and adjusting the horsepower of tractors at the local fairs. He really enjoyed meeting, talking with, and helping the farmers in the area. He was well known around the area as the “Diesel Doctor”. His motto was, “if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it, if it is broke, it’s no good that way so let’s see if we can fix it," and he could fix just about anything.

He loved to travel. LeRoy and Esther would travel back home to Wahpeton and Larimore North Dakota yearly to see their families. He spent a few winters in Florida and then many in Texas, always stopping along the way to visit with relation gathering information on family genealogy. Genealogy was his passion and he spent numerous hours downloading hundreds of photos, family history, and files working on family genealogy right up to his final days.

He loved his family, and he was always there for them no matter what. He always helped them in any way he could. He was the most giving man when it came to his family’s needs. LeRoy is survived by his two sons, William/Bill (Connie) Larson, and Bruce (Ellie Fisher) Larson; eight grandchildren; Robert (Jennifer) Gammons, Melissa Gammons, Johan (Danae) Larson, Jamie (Haley) Larson, Jessica (Nathan) Todd Smith, Revis (Rachel) Sims, Kenny (LaTasha) Sims, Ashlee (Greg) Croft, Fourteen great grandchildren, along with Esther’s sisters who meant a lot to him; Judy (Mike) Pratt and Blanche Gruenberg, Leona Peterson, many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents Emil & Agnes, wife Esther, brother Sanford (wife Borgny), daughter Beverely Gammons, Esther’s sisters who meant a lot to him; Ruth Polda, Ethal Smith and Shirley Romfo, along with a great grandchild and many special family and friends. He will truly be missed by those that love him.

A celebration of his life will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Thursday, November 19th at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Big Rapids with Father Dan DePew officiating. LeRoy’s family will receive friends and family prior to the service at the church beginning at 10:00 a.m. with a luncheon to follow. LeRoy will be laid to rest at a later date next to his wife in Breckenridge, Minnesota and Larimore, North Dakota.

In lieu of plants and flowers memorial contributions may be made in LeRoy’s name to Corwell Health Hospice, or The Comfort Home, 204 N Patterson, Reed City, MI 49338. Arrangements and care entrusted to Daggett Gilbert Funeral Home in Big Rapids, MI. Share a memory or leave a condolence for the family at https://www.daggettfuneral.com/