Lawrence "Spike" Marlin, Jr.

Lawrence “Spike” Marlin, Jr. passed away on December 24, 2015. He was 78. Spike was a long time resident of Lake Orion, known for his keen sense of humor, passion for playing the drums, and the large party he hosted every 4th of July where his band played to the boaters on the lake.

Spike was born in Detroit. In 1941, his family moved to what was known as ‘Stump Bay’ on Lake Orion. Their home was little more than a small vacation cottage with no insulation or indoor plumbing and only a hand pump and hole in the ice for water their first winter. From early on, he learned to make the best out of whatever he had. In his teens, he was an Eagle Scout and camp counselor at Camp Agawam. He graduated from LOHS in 1955 where he played drums in the school band and was voted “best sense of humor”. He then studied at Wayne State University where he was a member of the marching band and was also known to play his bongos at parties during the Beat era of the late ‘50s.

In 1958, Spike joined GM as a chemistry lab intern. He went on to work professionally at several automotive suppliers in various capacities, developing and marketing adhesives and coatings. He also operated Marlin & Marlin Associates, a manufacturing rep firm, with his wife from 1978-79. From 1981 until his retirement in 2002, he worked for Henkel Technologies in Madison Heights where he holds several patents for concepts he developed. He also began hosting the company’s 4th of July party at his home on King Circle, which became one of the most anticipated celebrations of the year.

Spike was active in the Detroit Judo Club where he held a 2nd degree brown belt. He was also talented on the dance floor and won dance contests with his wife during the height of the disco era. He was a member of the Oakland Community Concert Band and played drums while wearing a Scottish kilt for the Sons of Scotia Bagpipe Band in Lake Orion. When not drumming, Spike enjoyed lake life to the fullest. He was a member active in the Lake Orion Boat Club, always on hand for the organization’s social events. He also enjoyed teaching his children to swim and water ski as well as taking visitors for a boat ride to show them where the “Dragon” was on the lake. Spike’s wisdom on life was that “It’s OK to get older, but it’s not OK to be boring”. And true to his word, later in life as most folks are settling quietly into retirement, Spike chose to turn the volume up to “11” by becoming the drummer of the band, Glazed Look, a Pink Floyd tribute band. The friendships he made with his band mates were ones he truly cherished. Hosting, dancing and playing with his band at his 4th of July party on the lake was what he loved to do most in life. These gatherings will be well remembered by family, friends and everyone who shared these moments with him. His love of a good time and sense of humor will be greatly missed.

Lawrence is survived by his wife, Abigail (née Jenkins); son, Gregory; daughter, Victoria; grandson, Nicholas Gatchell; and in-laws, Daniel and Peggy Jenkins. He was preceded in passing by his father, Lawrence; mother, Catherine “Kitty” (née Currin); and sister, Virginia Henk (née Marlin).

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Jan. 16, 2016 at Sparks-Griffin Funeral Home at 111 East Flint Street in Lake Orion. Visitation is 1-3 PM. Services will be at 3 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Stroke Association in his name.