Lawrence N. Burger

Lawrence N. Burger, 74, of Bellaire, passed away Thursday, November 10, 2016 in Bonita Springs, Florida. He was born June 2, 1942 to Nelson W. and I. Mary (McCaulley) Burger in Barton City, MI. Larry had a love for baseball. He played for the Barton City team as a teenager. In 1962, he played for Alpena Community College, where he was named Michigan All Conference Pitcher. He ended his ball career playing softball in Citrus Park, Bonita Springs, Florida. There he was honored with the All Star status. In One Pitch most valuable player, he was awarded the Sportsmanship award in the 2016 season. He loved to travel, he has visited 33 countries. Hi lived in China for 9 years, Germany for 1 year, and in Egypt for a few months. He had a very successful career in the automotive industry. He worked for 15 years at the Jeep plant in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Starting there as a manager for American Motors. While there, he was president of the American Motors Management Club. He was Engine Plant manager at Beijing Jeep, Chrysler Operations, China process manager and production director at Beijing Jeep. He was site manager for New Venture Gear in Germany after retiring from Chrysler Corporation. He was a dedicated worker and was very people friendly. While working in China, he met the president of China when he toured the plant in Beijing. The president thanked him personally, in English for showing his people how to do it right. He also met his beautiful wife, Sarah. In his travels he met many interesting people, like the King of Thailand, at a Pauket resort. He shook hands and was blessed by Pope John Paul II at the Vatican in 1985. In Wisconsin he met Martin Sheen, who went to his home for a beer and some conversation. In Las Vegas, he met Redd Foxx who bought him a beer as they chatted. While in China, he had the opportunity to go camping on the Great Wall of China, and take a Jeep excursion to the base camp at Mt. Everest in Tibet. In Egypt he visited the pyramids many times. He had a love for cars, old and new, corny jokes, and women. He liked jogging and ran in two marathons. He had a love of music, especially Elvis, Doo Wop, Oldies, Older Country, Gospel, and the Blues. He sang Karaoke, and learned to play the guitar at the age of 70. He joined a little band, the Carport Jammers, in Citrus Park, Florida. He loved his family, and his log home. Larry is survived by his wife, Sarah Burger, his son, Brett (Terrial) Burger, two step daughters, Kelly (Grant) Peyron, and Kathy (Mark) Gahart, three step granddaughters, Faith and Grace Peryon, and Audrey Gahart, one step grandson, Quinton Hershon, two sisters, Jane (Gary) Clark, and Donna (Bobby) Balwinski, one brother, Jim (Gloria) Burger, as well as many nieces and nephews, and good friends Pat and Patti McDonald. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his stepson, Mark Hershon. Mr. Burger is at Gillies Funeral Home, Lincoln, where friends may call on Saturday, November 19, from 3:00 PM until 8:00 P.M. Funeral services will be Sunday, November 20, at 11:00 A.M. at the funeral home. Devin Chisholm will officiate. Memorial donations suggested to the Citrus Park 50 Plus Softball League. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Lawrence N. Burger, please visit our flower store.