DEVRIES – Larry J. DeVries of Alto finished the biggest race of his life and was welcomed into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior on April 4 2009. He was 64 years young. He was preceded in death by his son Scott DeVries and his parents Ted and Iris DeVries. He will be sadly missed by his wife the love of his life Carolyn DeVries (Ondersma); the most wonderful father of Stephen (Ronda) DeVries Brenda (Mark) Plants and Kimberly DeVries (David Rademacher); his precious grandchildren Nathan and Sarah DeVries and Derek and Collin Plants; his sister Diane DeVries (Del Glass); his in-laws Andy and Jane Ondersma and many sister and brother-in-laws nieces nephews and cousins. He will also be missed by his many friends at the YMCA his fellow horsemen at all the Quarter horse race tracks throughout the U.S. where he had some of the fastest horses East of the Mississippi River. Larry was one of the original founders of Centenial Securities owner of the Tack Room Western Store and was a long standing member of the Great Lakes Quarter Horse Association. For those of us who were privileged to know him he was a kind honest hard working man who loved a fast horse. Larry had a delightful sense of humor and was a true friend to many. Memorial services will be held 7:00 PM at the Cornerstone United Methodist Church 2045 68th Street SE Pastor Brad Kalajainen officiating. The family will greet friends and relatives 6-9 PM at the OBrien-Eggebeen-Gerst Funeral Home 3980 Cascade Rd. SE. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Southeast YMCA 730 Forest Hills SE Grand Rapids Michigan 49546.
