Larry J. Culby died peacefully on Wednesday, August 27, 2025 at Woodland Terrace of Paw Paw Lake in Coloma. He was born October 14, 1946 in Benton Harbor, MI to Jim and Jean Culby.
Larry’s American family roots travel back to the Mayflower. Years later, his Jakway ancestors bought one of the first land grants in Benton Township around 1840. Marriage brought the Jakways and Culbys together, and the family named the property Sunrise Farms. Larry farmed with his dad starting in l970; his brother, Mike, joined the partnership after graduating from college–and the farm continued to prosper until Larry’s health made it impossible to continue. The farm was sold in 2002.
In 1970, Larry graduated from Michigan State University with a bachelor’s degree with two majors. He married Jill the same year (they later discovered that her family came over on the Mayflower as well). They moved to the farm and lovingly restored the historical Jakway home, where they raised their family. Larry loved caring for the land. Although they grew a variety of crops, peaches were his favorite, which he babied every step of the way. Customers fought over the ‘baby gold’ type–as well as the no-name ‘run down your arm peach’ that was always a favorite.
Larry was a giver – to his community, to the farm, and especially to his family.
After retiring, he enjoyed participating in the local Rotary Club – the Great Pumpkin Race and Classroom in the Woods being two of his favorite contributions to the club. He also took up sailing–including crewing on several Chicago-to-Mackinac competitive races. Larry was one of the pivotal people in getting the MSU Experimental Farm going and growing. Over the years, he served on multiple agricultural boards, including the board for the MSU Experimental Farm. In his spare time, he enjoyed studying genealogy, tracing his family back to the 1200’s.
He loved to take family trips cross-country in their motor home, and happily raised Newfoundlands, Aussies, and any stray that showed up at his back door. It wasn’t only animals that Larry took in, he also gave many young people their first jobs. Even decades later, many would stop by to thank Larry for everything he taught them.
Larry was one of a kind – a leader, an inventor, a problem solver, the go-to person in an emergency, a lover of kids, a sucker for strays, and a man who seriously believed that it was up to each one of us to make the world a better place – something he most certainly did.
Larry will be missed by his loving wife, Jill Culby; his children, Ryan (Marieke) Culby, and Jennifer Culby (Ian Ellis); two incredible grandchildren, Lilly, and Solon; and his younger brother, Mike Culby.
The family are planning for a Celebration of Life at the Villas on the River clubhouse, on Monday, September 8, 2025 from 3-5 p.m.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks and Menchinger Chapel, St. Joseph.
Posted On: Friday, August 29, 2025 4:33 PM
