Laurence Dee Laiskonis

Laurence Laiskonis, age 76, peacefully passed on Friday, January 9 th , 2026, at home in Edinburg, Texas following a brave battle with cancer.

Larry was born August 6 th , 1949, in Ludington, Michigan, the first-born son of Stanley Francis Laiskonis and Geraldine Elizabeth (Nowak) Laiskonis. He grew up on their family farm in the rural village of Custer in Mason County and attended St. Mary’s School and Mason County Eastern High School, graduating in 1967.

He married Janice Mary Chatfield in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan on January 17 th , 1969, and daughter Amy Sue arrived soon after. In 1970 Larry was drafted into the US Army and served a tour of duty in Vietnam as a helicopter crew chief for the 282 nd AHC based near Da Nang, earning a Bronze Star among other commendations. Upon his return home to Michigan, he continued to pursue a career in aviation and son Michael Laurence was born in 1972.

Larry began his twenty years of service with the Army Reserve in 1974 as part the 70 th Division Training Command, and in the years to follow would anchor his family in the Detroit area. His work in aviation would lead him to positions with General Motors Air Transport Service and Flight Safety International. He had a lifelong passion for education, earning degrees from Eastern Michigan University and University of Phoenix; likewise, his career transitioned into training roles for companies such as Cummins and Yanmar USA.

A loving and supportive father and grandfather, family and friends know Larry for his engaging sense of humor and readiness to lend anyone in need a helping hand. His many interests included travel, the history and culture of the Great Lakes, model trains, playing music, and though life would find Larry planting stakes in Texas, Georgia, and South Carolina, he always remained loyal to his favorite Detroit sports teams. He was instantly embraced by a sense of community wherever he found himself, while also maintaining childhood friendships throughout his life.

He was remarried on June 23 rd , 2019, to Bernadette Marie Devine in Bloomington, Indiana and the two of them have enjoyed their retirement after setting down roots in Edinburg, Texas.

Larry was preceded in death by parents Stanley and Geraldine, his brother David, and wife Janice. He is survived by daughter Amy of Oklahoma City, son Michael of New York City, granddaughter Kathryn Marie of Phoenix, wife Bernadette, stepdaughter Megan (Disler) Aubrey, son-in-law Chris Aubrey, step-grandson Evan Aubrey of Virginia, and beloved four-legged companions Dove, Zorro, and Angel.

Larry will be cremated and inurnment will take place at Rio Grande Valley State Veteran’s Cemetery in Mission, Texas, where family and friends will gather for a memorial service at 2:00 pm on Friday January 30, 2026.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Larry’s memory be made to Cinderella Pet Rescue in Mission, Texas, where he was a dedicated volunteer: http://www.cinderella-pet-rescue.org/

Funeral services are under the direction ofLegacy Chapels of Edinburg, Texas. Please visit https://www.legacychapelsrgv.com/ to share fond memories of Larry with his family.