Lawrence Burton Ii

Lawrence Burton Ii, 93 of Saint Helen, Mi, passed away at the Brook in West Branch Thursday, October 31, 2019 surrounded by his family. Lawrence was born May 20, 1926 to James and Eoin (Davidson) Ii in Hamtramck, Michigan. Larry lived in Saint Helen, Michigan since 1991 formerly of Manassas, Virginia.

Larry served in the U.S. Navy in WWII on the U.S.S Minneapolis as a Fire Controlman 3c from May 1944 until May 1946. He took part in many of the WWII battles that occurred in the Pacific during that period. Following an honorable discharge from the Navy in 1946, Larry completed his High School (HS) education at Cass Technical HS in Detroit, Michigan and a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering at the University of Detroit in 1952. Larry went on to have a very successful career as an Electrical Engineer working in advanced Military/Defense Systems from 1952 until 1988 for employers including the Navy, Hazeltine Corporation, IBM, and his own company Systems-Displays-Technology Incorporated.

While working at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland, Larry met his future wife Alice Jean Johnson who also worked for the Navy. Larry and Alice were married in 1954 until Alice’s passing in 2017. Larry is survived by his two sons; David Ii of Tucson, Arizona, and James (Susan) Ii of Manassas, Virginia; five grandchildren and ten great grandchildren; sister Shirley Ii of Walled Lake, Michigan; sister in law Wilma Ii; numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents James and Eoin, his son Lawrence Jr, his brother James and sister Victoria.

Outside of his family and work life, Larry had many interests and hobbies. Larry had a great appreciation for, and pride in, his Hawaiian heritage and loved to share the culture with others. In addition, Larry was known for his investment foresight in the stock market and would often impart his knowledge to others. Larry also had a passion for the arts which included music, poetry, pottery, and drawing. And, if you were lucky, he would include an original poem with his letters. Larry had an affection for animals and a love of the outdoors. He cared for and bred dogs when he was young boy and enjoyed raising and riding horses with his two sons.

A service will be held on Wednesday November 6, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at the Oakland Hills Memorial Hills Garden in Novi.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Arrangements were handled by Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in West Branch. www.steuernolmclaren.com