Laurence "Larry" Atkinson

Laurence “Larry” Atkinson, 61, of Orion, passed away on Saturday, April 9, 2016 at UnityPoint Health Trinity Rock Island.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 14, 2016, at Orion United Methodist Church, 407 12th Avenue, Orion.  Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 13, 2016, at Kirk, Huggins & Esterdahl Funeral Home, Ltd., 1301 4th Street, Orion.  Burial will be at Western Township Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Orion United Methodist Church, AdamFest, or to JDRF.

Larry was born on July 2, 1954, in Troy, OH, the son of Jesse and Patricia Carlton Atkinson.  He grew up in the Andover Orphanage.  His nickname in school was Bird.  He was a football MVP as well as a track and field record holder.  On August 2, 1975, Larry married Shelley Smith.  He was a member of Orion United Methodist Church.

Larry loved coaching, playing, and watching soccer and was one of the founding members of the Orion Soccer Club.  He coached for over 40 years and created the Orion High School girls’ soccer program.  Larry was an Orion School Board member from 2005 – 2013.

Larry was a second degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and an owner of Orion Military Arts Institute.  He was an avid Iowa Hawkeyes, Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears, Chicago Blackhawks, and Chicago Bulls fan.  He loved old cars and fishing with his brothers and brother-in-law.  Above all, he loved being a Bapa to his three grandchildren, Damon, Reed, and Tess.

Survivors include his wife, Shelley, children, Nathan (Erin), Erin (Todd), and Seth (Christine); grandchildren, Damon, Reed, and Tess; brothers, Rich, Michael, Tim, James; sisters, Linda and Mary Kay and families.

He was preceded in death by his parents and foster parents, Doris and Duane Brodd, and a very special nephew, Adam Smith.

Memories may be shared online by visiting esterdahl.com.