Larry Duane Harper, age 79, of Tecumseh MI, passed away on Monday, February 17, 2025. He was born June 18, 1945 at home on Pearl Street in Tecumseh, MI. His parents were Elberta (Perkins) and Edward Harper. He grew up in Tecumseh and graduated from Tecumseh High School in 1963. There he learned his love for music and met the love of his life Dorothy Jean Nettleman.
Larry attended the University of Michigan and marched in the marching band before leaving for the US Navy, serving for eight years in the submarine force on three different boats. He was accepted in the Navy Enlisted Scientific Education Program (NESEP) and earned a Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering before leaving the Navy in 1972. Larry worked for The Sharon Manufacturing Company in Lambertville, MI, A.P. Parts in Toledo, OH., L and W Engineering in Belleville, MI., and Ford Motor Company in Monroe, MI., retiring in 2007. He reconnected with Dorothy in 2007 and they married in 2009 in Las Vegas. He was a member and officer of the American Legion Post 34 in Tecumseh and served as the live bugler for many years and played TAPS for many veterans’ funerals.
Larry had the privilege of playing trumpet for the Tecumseh Center for the Arts Big Band, the Saline Big Band, the Tecumseh Pops Orchestra, and his favorite group, the Dixiecups Dixieland Band. He will deeply miss all of his band mates until they play again in Heaven.
He will leave behind his beloved wife Dorothy of 15 years, his sister Carole Gemmil, sons Allen (Laura), Kendrick (Caroline) and Bryan (Lisabeth) Harper and their mother, Sally (Fleshman) Harper, step sons Scott (Jeanie) and Robert (Robin) Poley and his stepdaughter Pamela Poley. Also his cherished grandchildren, Drew, Norah, Charlotte, and Vivian Harper, and his step grandchildren, Reid, Mason, Myles Poley, and his very special one, Cameron Rickman.
Larry was preceded in death by his loving parents, sister Patricia (John) Deming, his brothers, Harold Harper and Jerry O’Brien and their spouses, and his special stepson, Jay Poley.
Cremation has taken place and a celebration will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Tecumseh American Legion Post #34 and the Tecumseh Center for the Arts.