Larry Keith DeFord, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on September 8, 2024. Larry was born in rural Rossville, Indiana, on October 24, 1937, to William Victor DeFord and Emily Naomi Ozenbaugh. He attended Rossville schools and met his lifelong love Julia Hackerd there when they were in elementary school. They married on November 11, 1956. After graduating from Rossville High School in 1955, Larry worked as a supervisor at Chrysler Transmission in Kokomo for 34 years, retiring in 1999. He also could be found many afternoons and evenings at the family restaurant The Sundae Parlor in Michigantown.
Larry knew how to work harder than anyone. When he wasn’t putting in overtime at Chrysler, he was at home working in his shop or garden. He built his and Julia’s home in Michigantown in 1964, and in his “retirement” he bought and renovated two other homes. He also helped build and do all of the carpentry in his daughter Heidi’s home. Larry and Julia put in an in-ground pool in the early 1990s so his grandchildren would have somewhere to swim, and he meticulously maintained that pool until his death. He loved woodworking and made many different pieces of furniture for his family and friends, even building a dining room table and bench that he towed on a trailer to a granddaughter in Miami, Florida. In 2017 an accident took three fingers from his left hand while he was building a manger for his church, Normanda Christian Church. When the hand surgeon asked him what he wanted to be able to do in his recovery, his response was, “I want to be able to work in my shop!” so the surgeon advised to sew up the fingers and move on. Larry finished the manger before the Christmas season. He loved to read and spent many evenings in his chair reading newspapers and historical biographies. He especially enjoyed the comics.
Larry traveled extensively with his family throughout his lifetime. He and Julia took their children on trips to Gatlinburg, Colorado, and Florida, and in their later years they took yearly trips to Williamsburg, Virginia. Larry traveled multiple times to Canada to go fishing in the summer with his nephew and brother-in-law. There were many trips to Chicago to see shows on Broadway and visit the Museum of Science and Industry, and they also often traveled to West Bend, Wisconsin, where his eldest daughter lived for several years. In 2009, Larry decided to accompany treasured family friends John and Mary Phyl Sloggett on one of their trips to China. He came home delighted to tell his family how he had been a sort of celebrity overseas, with several Chinese citizens asking to take pictures of him or with him. He was also given a seat of honor at a formal dinner one evening with some Chinese dignitaries. We loved listening to him tell that story.
Above all else, Larry loved his family, son Damon and daughters Dawn and Heidi, and his grandchildren Eric, Nicole, Greta, Margo, and Ethan. He attended nearly every sporting event, concert, academic squad meet, graduation, marching band competition and recital. He won the “fan of the year” award for Clinton Central Football in 2003, an award that still hangs on the wall of his office. Larry celebrated every family birthday and holiday with his digital camera, ensuring we have years and years of memories to look back on. He taught us by example, by showing up, by never complaining, and by encouraging us all to keep our faith in the Lord.
Larry was a lifelong Christian and held leadership positions at Michigantown Christian Church and Normanda Christian Church. We are devastated and broken by his loss, but we are comforted by the fact that he has earned his true reward in Heaven, where he was greeted by Jesus. Our lives will never be the same without Larry, but we are able to carry on knowing that we will see him again someday. He was the best of us—steadfast, faithful, and kind.
Larry is survived by his wife of nearly 68 years, Julia and his children, son Damon (wife Denise) of Michigantown, daughter Dawn Dunn (husband Lee Dunn) of Pittsboro, North Carolina, and daughter Heidi Randolph (husband Rick Randolph) of Michigantown. He also leaves behind his youngest brother, Maurice DeFord (wife Janet), of South Prince George, Virginia. Larry will be forever missed by his grandchildren Eric DeFord of Fort Wayne, Indiana, granddaughter Nicole Pries (husband Kyle Pries) of Frankfort, Indiana, granddaughter Greta Holmes (husband Cassius Holmes) of Jacksonville, Florida, granddaughter Margo Requard (husband Jay Requard) of New York City, New York, and Ethan DeFord of Michigantown. Larry also treasured his honorary grandsons, JT and Kreigh Sloggett and their families. He has three great-grandsons, Owen DeFord, Cassius Clay Holmes, and Benjamin Requard. Larry is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters, and great-granddaughters Hazel and Lily DeFord,
A visitation will be held at Normanda Christian Church on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, from 11-1. The funeral service will follow directly after at 1. In lieu of flowers, donations made be made in Larry’s name to Normanda Christian Church. Day & Genda Funeral Home ~ Bodine Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements. Messages of condolence may be left at www.dayandgenda.com.