Ron LaClair’s obituary

Ray Lyon · May 12, 2022, 09:49:36 AM

https://www.luxfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/Ronald-W--LaClair?obId=24806477

Ronald William, LaClair, age 86, of Potterville, passed away Sunday, May 8, 2022.

Ron was born March 22, 1936 in Lansing the son of William and Edith(Somerville) LaClair. Ron married Nancy Britten on February 28, 1959 in Okemos. Nancy was his best friend and hunting partner for 57 years until her death in 2016. Together they enjoyed the sport of archery, hunting and fishing, and traveling throughout the Midwest.

He served his country in the US Air Force, then gained employment at General Motors in Lansing, where he retired in 1986 after 30years.

Ron won the Howard Hill World Longbow Championship, Wilsonville Al, in 1981, shooting an 80lb Hill Style Longbow
Following his retirement, he started a business: Ron LaClair's Traditional Archery shoppe, in Potterville, where he promoted and sold Traditional Bows and accessories for over 30 years. In the early-mid 90s he created his own line of lighter weight compact-size longbows called the Shrew. He is credited with the original design concept and development of the "short longbow", now marketed and sold by multiple bowyers and manufacturers. Today the Shrew bow is sold globally and one of the most desired traditional hunting bows of its kind. Shrewbows.com

Over the course of his life, Ron was well known for his excellent marksmanship with the bow and arrow, traditional fire arms, and throwing Tomahawks and Knives. He often demonstrated his superior skills at exhibitions and tournaments around the state of Michigan. Commonly hitting flying targets with a bow, such as coins and aspirins. For over 30years, he held a Michigan State Muzzle Loading Assn. state record, getting a near perfect score in the 50 yard off-hand event, using a .50 caliber Flintlock rifle, built by his friend Judson Brennan.

Ron was a Life member and Hall-of-fame Inductee of the Michigan Bow Hunters Association. He was a founding member and former president of the Michigan LongBow Association. In 1985 the MLA hosted the first Great Lakes Longbow Invitational, (GLLI) which has gone on to be one of the biggest Long Bow events in the world.

Ron was also a longtime member of the Chief Okemos Sportsman's club in Dimondale, where he shared his passion of Black Powder weapons, and buckskins, with many friends.

In the Mid 90s Ron started a hunting camp in the Upper Peninsula Michigan, called Shrewhaven. It was here that he shared his love of traditional bow hunting, primitive style, with his wife Nancy and some of his closest friends.

Ron was known for his writing and narration of many poems. Most notably: The Ghost of Armstrong Creek, Forward, Age old miracle, The Legacy, and The Love of Archery. Video of select poems can be found online.

"What is there about a traditional bow that captivates us so? It's only a simple stick and string, it's only a simple bow."
Excerpt from the "Love of Archery", by Ron LaClair

He is survived by his children William LaClair, Daniel (Dianna) LaClair, Robin Welch-LaClair, sibling Judy (Art) Miller, 11 grandchildren: Jordan, Jesse, Nathan, Jennifer, Andrea, Ashley, Matt, Susanna, David, Brian, Jacob, and 8 great grandchildren.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Rebecca 1976, and wife Nancy in 2016.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 18, 2022 at 1 pm at the Lux and Schnepp Funeral Home, Riverdale with Pastor Terry LaDuke officiating. Interment will follow in Elm Hall Cemetery. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 10 am until time of service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Eaton Community Palliative Care, 2675 S. Cochran Rd., Charlotte, MI 48813. To view Ron's obituary or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.luxfuneralhomes.com.

Terry Green · May 13, 2022, 12:03:49 PM

Many thanks Ray.

Flying Cups 1.3 MEG wmv file

Roger Norris · May 13, 2022, 06:32:23 PM

I took this picture last year....Ron's last trip to ShrewHaven. If you understand his love for "Redbird", you understand this picture. Seems fitting for an obituary thread.

InFamousElGuapo · May 16, 2022, 05:44:01 PM

Thank you for posting. I had no idea he lost a daughter, that's tough. It may be bad taste, just curious to know what happened to her. Anyone know? Thanks

Ray Lyon · May 16, 2022, 05:55:45 PM

Redbird was Ron's wife not his daughter.

InFamousElGuapo · May 16, 2022, 06:14:31 PM

I was curious about Rebecca. It says he was preceeded by his parents, Rebecca his daughter, and Nancy.

blacktailbob · May 16, 2022, 10:44:37 PM

[attachment=1,msg3000778]I'm glad I got to talk to him on the phone a few times while working up the t-shirt art for the "Old guys" as he called it. Very polite and friendly but reserved somewhat, but always a true gentleman. AND the most impressive knife collection anyone could ever have.
RIP Ron

Killdeer · May 17, 2022, 07:04:30 AM

I will miss his poetry, his kindly help, his hospitality to me at Kalamazoo, and his always continuing forward the lore and spirit of traditional ways.

Killdeer

varmint101 · May 17, 2022, 07:18:21 PM

Thank you for sharing. He is sorely missed. Did all of his poems get a recording of him narrating them?

Ray Lyon · May 18, 2022, 07:45:26 PM

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Ron's grandson's are the two on the left in the tree photo with the Shrewhaven Gang. Very nice service. Ron had scripted his burial wishes and he was laid to rest in a custom built pine box as a casket. He had a flintlock rifle, pistol, knife and Shrew Bow and he was dressed in his buckskins.

Of course we toasted him with a bottle of Basil Hayden.

Wudstix · May 18, 2022, 08:23:22 PM

Well played.

woodchucker · May 18, 2022, 08:47:39 PM

Sounds like Ron has all he needs, for the Happy Hunting Ground....

Roger Norris · May 19, 2022, 05:15:16 PM

Well, yesterday was kinda bitter sweet. I enjoyed how we ShrewHaven boys handled it. Exactly like Ron would want. We had a little whiskey, laughed and told stories. He was loyal to us, and we were loyal to him, right to the end.

Lori and I were driving home afterwards, and I said "Well dammit, I miss him already". Talking with Cosgrove this morning gave me a little twinge also. He's buried overlooking the shooting range at Elm Hall. We will meet there this summer with a few broken arrows from the course. Old Lobo won't be forgotten...not by me.

Wudstix · May 19, 2022, 07:36:25 PM

Saying Farewell for now, to friends can be tough.

Terry Green · May 19, 2022, 07:50:24 PM

Terry Green · May 19, 2022, 08:04:50 PM

Sleeping Beauty - by Ron LaClair

Posted here March 26, 2003

https://www.tradgang.com/tgsmf/index.php?topic=108976.0

Ray Lyon · May 19, 2022, 08:17:38 PM

Thank you for posting the link Terry. Very nice

Wudstix · May 19, 2022, 09:02:08 PM

Awesome verse.

Tim Reese · May 20, 2022, 02:55:35 PM

What a legend! Pine box, flint lock, bow and a knife!!!!! And in buckskins!!!! Even in death he is more of a man than I hope to ever be!!!

Thanks for sharing photos.

STICKBENDER98 · May 20, 2022, 04:13:47 PM

Been keeping Ron's family, and all the ShrewHaven gang in my prayers and will continue to do so. I have always enjoyed all the pictures, stories, and good natured bantering that goes on amongst you all that have been shared here, and am looking forward to more. Embrace each other, and lift one another up when needed and carry on the tradition as Ron would want you to, may God bless you all and his family.

Jason