Lawrence L. Kliemann Jr.

Lawrence L. Kliemann Jr. born September 9th, 1935, to Lawrence Sr. and Emma of Dearborn Mi., where he was raised. He went to William Clay Ford Elementary, Lowery Jr. High and Fordson High School. He started his working career as most boys in the 1940’s, as a paper boy, later at Brown’s Fish & Chips where he bussed tables and washed dishes. In 1952, he decided to leave school and join The United States Army at Fort dix in New Jersey. Later, he was stationed in Korea, shortly after the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed. He said he could have been a helicopter pilot but he would have had to commit for 6 years minimum. He decided being a cook would be a good job. He left the army as a Corporal. Larry returned to Dearborn and hired in a Ford Motor Co. in 1955. After a few years, his friend, Tom Bruce got him promoted to Personal Benefits and Health and Safety at The Woodhaven Stamping Plant. Larry worked at several locations ending up at The Pilot Plant in Dearborn.

After dating for a couple of years, he met Joyce Marie Adams from Detroit Mi. She was raised in the Brightmoor neighborhood (West Detroit), and attended Redford Union High School, after which, she went to West Virginia for Nursing School. Her sister Enid and Larry Day lived there so Joyce got to spend lots of her time off with them and their children, Scott and Suzanne. Joyce and Suzanne were very close their while lives. She graduated in July of 1957 and returned to Detroit.

Shortly after her return, she was introduced to Larry. Three years later and many proposals, she finally agreed to marriage. They tied the knot November 12, 1960 and settled in West Dearborn on Princeton St. Survived by their two children, Charlie and Karl (Lynn) and their 4 grandchildren, Matthew, Karl Jr., Kaitlyn and Christopher.

Joyce and Larry were the typical parents of that day, dad worked Mon – Fri, 5:30am to 4:00pm. We found out later, he just liked to be early so he could read the newspaper and make his coffee, he really started at 7:00am. When not working, being with kids and doing activities with them was his favorite. He would pile the kids in the neighborhood into his Pinto Wagon and go to the pool or sledding, skating, ect…

He enjoyed swimming, softball, tennis, gold, biking, walking, bowling, football, field hockey and skiing. Family nights at OL Smith was a big event for Larry. He was very involved with the Dearborn Hockey Association as well. He was on the Board, Coached, Managed and kept score. He always joked, he wanted to be the Zamboni driver.

After Larry retired in Sept of 1990, 36 years at Mord Motor Co., Joyce and Larry started their second half of life. He volunteered at Oakwood Hospital doing clerical and guest info, his favorite was baby cuddling. He also did Hospice and Meals on Wheels. They moved to Fort Pierce Florida in 1993 where they lived for 23 years in Spanish Lakes and Summerfield.

Joyce started showing signs of Dementia in 2016, so they moved back to Michigan to be around family. Larry really enjoyed getting in the car and going to visit friends and family for some coffee and conversation and they did a lot of that before Joyces’ passing in November of 2018. Her passing was very heard on him. He continued doing the best he could to go see all his friends and family and share that wonderful cup of coffee. He loved to tell his stories of life and things he’s done.

Larry had a fall in July and being tied to a bed in the hospital was not good. He passed peacefully at (Oakwood Hospital) Corewell Hospital in Dearborn on July 31st, 2026 on a sunny afternoon.

Jesus and Joyce were patiently waiting on his arrival and his acceptance into Heaven!