Larry Craig Windsor, 80, of Mishawaka, passed away on April 14, 2024, after multiple medical issues.

Larry was born on April 11, 1944, in Elkhart, Indiana, to Richard LaMar Windsor and Roberta G. Ray (Hartman). He graduated from Elkhart Central High School in 1962 and attended Ball State University before joining the Navy in January of 1963. Following basic training, Larry's first two duties were at the Bethesda Naval Hospital for a special experiment in isolation training for space travel and submarine school. In November, 1963, Larry was assigned to his first ship, the USS Pocano (AGC-16), an Adirondack-class amphibious force flagship, where he served on the deck force and commissary.

In January of 1965, Larry was transferred to a newly commissioned ship, the USS Guam (LPH-9), also an amphibious assault ship, where he served in the S-3 Division of ships service and commissary. He was part of the recovery of NASA's ninth crewed spaceflight mission of Project Gemini, the Gemini XI, in September of 1966. Picking up astronauts Charles Conrad and Richard Gordon was one of Larry's favorite memories during his service in the Navy. Larry served his country as an active naval officer from 1963 through 1967 and as an inactive reservist from 1967 to 1969.

While Larry received a Certificate of Recognition by the Secretary of Defense for his service during the Cold War for promoting peace and stability for our Nation, he was humble about his service in the Navy and believed that those who saw active combat, were wounded in service, or gave their lives were more deserving of being called a Vietnam Veteran than himself.

Following his discharge from the Navy, Larry came home and began courting his 7th grade sweetheart, Patricia Ann Lutts. Larry proposed and the two were married on May 21, 1967. The Windsors didn't take long to start a family and by February, 1968, they welcomed their first son, Steven. The following year the Windsors welcomed their first daughter, Michelle. The Windsors would have three more children, Teresa, David and Catanna.

To support his family, Larry took a job with Dodge Manufacturing in April of 1968, where he worked for 33 years until his retirement in 2001. During his time at Dodge, he took management classes and worked in the foundry, pulley and maintenance divisions. Larry was a member of the Dodge Athletic Association and also served as its Vice President for a period of time.

Throughout his life, Larry strove to educate himself in various areas. He attended American Jet School in Michigan City, Indiana, and received his diploma in 1969. He took courses at Ivy Tech for welding and numerical control CNC. He also attended overhead crane repair school in Indianapolis and air tool repair school in Bryan, Ohio.
Larry enjoyed playing 12" softball, volleyball and was an avid bowler and skilled chess player; he also enjoyed fishing, riding motorcycles, the Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR racing.  As a child of a clarinet maker, Larry learned to play the clarinet at a young age. Music became a very important part of his life. He played clarinet, oboe, and alto clarinet. To pass on his love of playing, he taught his children and grandchildren to play the clarinet. Larry's other hobbies included stamp, coin and baseball card collecting.  He would spend hours looking at, sorting and organizing his collections.  When he wasn't playing his clarinet or organizing his collections, he was spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.  You could often find one or more grandchildren perched on his lap or snuggling him on his great big chest.  His lap was the best seat in the house to watch TV, read a book or take a nap.

Despite suffering physical and mental abuse as a child, Larry was able to become a kind and gentle person. He worked hard to support his family, taking on additional jobs so his children could grow up having a better childhood than he did. He worked hard at putting his childhood behind him so he could provide a loving environment for his family.  Anyone who met him knew him to be a kind, gentle soul who had a wonderful sense of humor. He lit up a room with his smile, easy going demeanor and personality.

Preceding Larry in death are his mother, Roberta, father, Richard, step-mother, Esther, brother, Don Lee and half brother, Robert Dennis.

Larry is survived by his wife, Patricia, five children, Steve (Sue) Windsor of Osceola, Michelle (Randy) Wotring of Mishawaka, Teresa (Adam) Barney of Lincoln, NE, Dave (Kaye) Windsor of Elkhart, Catanna (Tony) Garcia of Elkhart, 9 grand daughters, 5 step grand daughters, 2 grandsons, 3 great grand daughters, 5 great grandsons, 3 step great grandsons, and a half brother, Richard (Marjorie) Windsor of Hartford City, IN.

Grandchildren: Kayla Windsor, Tasha Windsor, Jessica Spears, Crysta Werntz, Avery Barney, Isaac Barney, Courtney Youngs, Lillian Windsor, Ben Windsor, Cady Windsor, Athena Garcia,  Leeah Killingbeck, Bekka Oxley, Megan Torres, Morgan Wotring, Serenity Anderson.

Great Grandchildren: Xander Windsor, Aden Windsor, Edaline Hyink, Forrest McAlexander, Windsor McAlexander, Phoenix Spears, Natalie Biggs, Colton Youngs, Boston Torres, Jones Torres, Hollis Torres.

Family and Friends may visit on Thursday April 18, 2024 from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm at Chapel Hill Funeral Home, located at 10776 McKinley Highway, Osceola, Indiana 46561. A graveside service shall be held on Thursday, May 02, 2024 at 1:30 pm.  Please meet at the funeral home at 1:15 pm.

PLEASE NOTE:  Our McKinley Highway entrance is closed due to the road construction.  PLEASE ENTER VIA JEFFERSON AVENUE (CHAPEL HILL MEMORIAL GARDENS) HEAD TO THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF THE CEMETERY TO THE LANE THAT RUNS NORTH TO THE FUNERAL HOME. WE APOLOGIZE  FOR THE INCONVENIENCE.