Allan “Dan” LaGrou, age 79, of Almont, MI died Sunday, February 13, 2022 at Wellbridge of Romeo, MI. Allan Daniel LaGrou was born February 14, 1942 in Warren, MI. He was the son of the late Amil and the late Evelyn (Warner) LaGrou. Dan grew up in Warren, MI. He was a graduate of Warren High School, Class of 1960. He married Karen Heron on June 17, 1989 in Dryden, MI. Dan and Karen moved to Almont in 1991. He was preceded in death by his wife, Karen, on October 25, 2021.
Dan owned and operated D&D Fabrications in Almont, MI, rebuilding engines and making engine conversion kits. He owned and worked as a design and test engineer at Vehicle Research and Development in Almont (a Tier 1 test facility for General Motors). He had also worked as an engineer at the General Motors Tech Center in Warren, MI for 20-plus years. Dan’s company had designed and built three identical Oldsmobile 442s for the movie Demolition Man. They had also built the “Indy Hauler” (a high powered competition pick-up truck) for the 1980 Indianapolis 500 as well as many other special vehicles through the years.
While he lived in Warren, Dan was a firefighter for the Warren Fire Department. He was a member of Wertz’s Warriors and Hulbert Haulers, (both are snowmobile fundraisers for the Michigan Special Olympics), a 50 year active member of the Michigan Hot Rod Association and Motor City Modified Auto Club.
He is survived by his sons, Dwayne (Lisa) LaGrou of Lapeer, MI, Mark (Tammy) LaGrou of Imlay City, MI and Bryan LaGrou of Kincheloe, MI; stepson, Brian (Carol) Heron; stepdaughters, Dawn Heron and Kimberly (Dan) Parsons; sisters, Denise (Ray) Boudreau of Ocala, FL and Ellen Crum of Ottawa, IL. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Samantha LaGrou, Joshua LaGrou, Nicole Tasker, Bobby Johnson, Heather LaGrou, Ashley Pettit, Michael LaGrou, Ashlee Pickens, Bethany Pickens, Randy Pickens, and Jacquelyn Heron; and many, many, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Dan was preceded in death by his wife, Karen LaGrou; his parents, Amil and Evelyn LaGrou; and his brother, Lloyd “Joe” LaGrou.
A memorial is being planned for warmer weather, probably near the middle of June 2022. We will keep you informed.
Arrangements for Dan’s cremation were entrusted to Muir Brothers Funeral Home, 225 N. Main Street, Imlay City, MI.
Please be sure to sign the online register at muirbrothersfh.com to share your memories and condolences with the LaGrou family.
