Larry Norman Message Board

Date: Mar 11, 2008

Larry's ex-wife, son, and Plane Incident

Date: Mar 11, 2008

I have the same question. When the did the plane incident happen? To what extent did it interfere with his artistic and career growth at the time? I read somewhere that he claimed healing from it.

Date: Mar 11, 2008

I'm no expert, but I believe the plane incident happened in 1978. During a landing, a ceiling panel came loose and struck Larry on the head. As I recall his story, it wasn't obvious then that real damage had occurred, but throughout the 1980's Larry had difficulty with his memory, and he had great trouble completing projects; he started and abandoned many works, and had trouble remembering lyrics, particularly newer songs he had written. Eventually I believe he was diagnosed with traumatic brain injury. He discussed it in the liner notes for Home at Last, I think. A newsletter, perhaps a year or more ago, mentioned that Michael had put his college plans on hold in order to help take care of his dad, and drive him places. The letter mentioned that Michael was gifted in counseling prisoners.

Date: Mar 11, 2008

Larry was twice married.

The first time, to a woman named Pamela. They divorced in the late 70's. I believe Larry wrote that his first marriage was extemely hard on him because his wife had multiple affairs and was using drugs behind his back, though he tried to persevere.

I believe Larry's second marriage began in the mid-80's, prior to his Home At Last album. Larry had his son Michael from that wife.

Date: Mar 11, 2008

In reading a post from Janie, Larry's second wife's name was Sarah. That would be Michael's mother. Janie has a great story to tell about her experience with Pam and Larry.

More important is the traumatic head injury. This is a very serious disorder. I work as a counselor and have worked with many people with this problem. Its a very frustrating life for the person and the family. This would explain a lot of the obstacles Larry faced. But the spirit perseveres and Larry's certainly did. The fact that he continued and led a full and productive life after this is a testament to his faith in God.

Thanks for passing on the information.

Date: Mar 11, 2008

That post is here: http://larrynorman.activeboard.com/index.spark?forumID=119764&p=3&topicID=15853504

Date: Mar 11, 2008

I just bumped it up by writing a reply.....

Date: Mar 11, 2008

It's titled Unforgetable

Date: Mar 11, 2008

Terry,

Larry's 2nd wife Sarah (mother of Micheal) was Randy Stonehill's first wife. Does anyone else know what she's doing now days?

Date: Mar 11, 2008

Thanks for the info. Maybe Janie will? Or if anyone who reads this post, that's a good question. Pam too.

Date: Mar 12, 2008

tom wrote:

Terry,

Larry's 2nd wife Sarah (mother of Micheal) was Randy Stonehill's first wife. Does anyone else know what she's doing now days?

it makes me wonder what both she and larry's first wife are doing as well as their thoughts on his music, his ministry, and now his death. did either ex-wife attend his funeral? it seems like maybe Sarah would have even if it was for no other reason than Larry being her son's father.

Date: Mar 12, 2008

As with the Stonehill thread, discussion of Larry's marriage difficulties has the potential to open a big can of worms that could be painful for those still living, and I'd like to request that we end this thread.

To most readers of this forum, Larry was a hero and a rockstar, but to some he was just a friend or family member and we need to respect their feelings.

Date: Mar 12, 2008

Anonymous wrote:

As with the Stonehill thread, discussion of Larry's marriage difficulties has the potential to open a big can of worms that could be painful for those still living, and I'd like to request that we end this thread.

agreed, and as the starter of this thread i'm asking that it be finished. my intentions were not to open a can of worms, but just to find out some information that didn't seem to be anywhere else on the net yet. i don't think any negative posts have been made in this thread yet, but i'd like it to stay that way so we should let it rest. i wish there were forum moderators....or at least an option for the person who makes a thread to close it.

Date: Mar 12, 2008

Terry Roland wrote:

It's titled Unforgetable

Date: Mar 12, 2008

Anonymous wrote:

Terry Roland wrote:

It's titled Unforgetable

Date: Mar 12, 2008

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Terry Roland wrote:

It's titled Unforgetable

Date: Mar 12, 2008

Yes. It's good to be careful about all of this. You're right. An option to close the thread would be great! I think I mainly wondered about the plane accident. Ironically, folksinger John Stewart, who just died, had a huge, heavy suitcase fall on his head in an airplane resulting in the same traumatic head injury problem. Like Larry, he persevered.

I agree. All of what has been discussed here has been in good taste without intention of harm or gossip...but the anonymous poster is probably right that we should error on the side of caution.

Date: Mar 12, 2008

I Discussed the Plane Incident with Larry in Person

Date: Mar 12, 2008

RE: Larry's ex-wife, son, and Plane Incident

Date: Mar 12, 2008

Take the Meat and Leave the Bones

Date: Mar 12, 2008

RE: Larry's ex-wife, son, and Plane Incident

Date: Mar 12, 2008

Rev. Philip Wren. UK wrote:

while not wishing to prolong this discussion, the track, "Let the rain fall down", on Stranded in Babylon, has some element of the divorce. I believe it to be the most powerful song about trusting in God and Christian hope that I have ever heard.

Date: Mar 13, 2008

Anonymous wrote:

As with the Stonehill thread, discussion of Larry's marriage difficulties has the potential to open a big can of worms that could be painful for those still living, and I'd like to request that we end this thread.

To most readers of this forum, Larry was a hero and a rockstar, but to some he was just a friend or family member and we need to respect their feelings.

I'm sorry. Maybe I missed something here. What is it on this thread that has prompted Anonymous to request it be ended? I don't see potentially "painful" gossip being spread here. We also must remember some get easily offended, even when no offense has been intended. Everyone's honoring a man who says "I told it like I felt it," but they should not tell it like they feel it, too?

Date: Mar 13, 2008

I see nothing wrong with this thread either. I believe the intention of others to ask to close it out of respect is good too. After thinking about it though, to be honest...in my own grief experience, I had no problem with truthful issues as they came up. When my brother died of an accidental overdose in '96, I heard it all and none of it really hurt. Just the fact that he was gone was what hurt. I don't know how the Norman family and friends are doing; but I hope this is not something that has been at all hurtful to them. Perhaps so many years have passed that there's an acceptance of incidence of the past.

Very well told about Larry's head injury.

Date: Mar 13, 2008

most of the questions have been answered, so i really don't care if this topic continues or not. however, some people seem to be too sensitive and worry about offending larry's family, but looking over this thread again i see nothing offensive at all by any of the posters. i guess i'd rather see people be over sensitive than not sensitive enough, but still, what are we afraid of? larry got divorced.....twice, but so what?! talking about it is in no disrespect, it's just the truth. it was his life, and it was real....and it shouldn't be hidden. no one here has been disrespectful or judgmental to larry or his family (and even if they were, i'm sure the norman family is used to it by now anyway). larry was obviously a great man of god with a true servant's heart, and as scripture says, "you will know them by their fruit"....and larry displayed a lot of good fruit in his lifetime. but he was human and had struggles and made mistakes just like the rest of us, and to avoid mentioning these things can be harmful too. sometimes seeing someone who dealt with the same problems that we do, yet overcame them and persevered, can be an encouragement.

Date: Mar 13, 2008

Amen Crashdog and Terry

Larry's life and journey encourages us, he persisted through all of his setbacks and tradgedies, all we are doing is celebrating this not trying to upset anyone....that is the difficulty I often have with church folk they like to pretend that all is well sometimes, when in fact we live in a broken, fallen and sad world. It's when you get to this realisation that you really feel God's providential power...

Date: Mar 13, 2008

Amen..well put.

Date: Mar 13, 2008

Well, you know what, I don't know the whole story as to what did cause Larry's 1st marriage to end although I understand that Larry tried his hardest to avoid divorce.

Divorce is a sensitive topic and some people do frown upon it due to the fact that ok yes God does not want you to break apart what he has yoked together.

Of course we do find in the book of Matthew: What God has joined together, let man not separate . . . I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery

Notice that marital unfaithfulness is indeed adultery and scripture does say that when adultery has occured, then the innocent spouse does have the right to get a divorce.

It really does take guts for the innocent spouse to have a wish to stay with the person who has cheated on him/her, and sadly situations have occured where a divorce really has become an inevitability, even if 1 of the parties in the marriage really is trying as hard as they can to prevent a divorce from happening (especially for instance the fact that the person at risk of going through the divorce is a Christian and the Christian person is actively trying to prevent a divorce from happening).

It is my understanding that Larry really did try his hardest to prevent the divorce from happening but in addition to the fact he did have the right to do so in the eyes of God, it did indeed become an inevitable thing.

I do hope his 1st wife is a Christian these days and I also hope that Larry and his Ex did at least wind up on good terms with each other, I am also hoping his Ex did come to the Funeral as well.

Date: Mar 13, 2008

the whole thing is that people are too over sensitive and worried about offending others. did God leave the bad parts and failures of his people out of the Bible because he was worried that it would be considered 'gossip' or could offend people? NO! he included it all, the good and the bad, for our benifit. seeing that paul was a murder and was forgiven and then used by God is powerful! also, what about david and bathsheeba.....should that have been left out? NO WAY! how many Christians have realized from this story that God forgives and can still use someone who has committed adultry in the past? there is nothing wrong with mentioning peoples failures and mistakes as long as we're doing it with the right motives and showing God's love and forgiveness through it.

Date: Mar 13, 2008

Crashdog, you made a really good point. I hadn't thought of it that way before. I think the reason we are hesitant is because there's SO much defamation of character. And, Larry has been knocked down, kicked around, some people slanderized his name, but there he was, talking bout Jesus just the same! But you're right...it is the purpose behind it that matters. We are not trying to gossip or slander. I sense a beautiful spirit in these messages posted.

One church overseer said if someone comes to him with straight out gossip, he'll say, "Really?? Well I'll go tell so-and-so what you said about him, and that you'll be along to clear it up!" He said you better believe that person never gossips to HIM again! LOL!

Anyway, I will share the few tidbits that Larry himself spoke of openly in concerts and songs. This way, there's no way it can be construed as gossip. About Pam, all you have to do is listen to, "I Got You Out of my System". About Sarah, you can learn some by listening to Randy Stonehill's song, "Sarah". Beyond that, once in concert, Larry said about his second divorce that Sarah had deep depression. He had tried and tried to help lift her out of it, but he just couldn't reach her. At least that is my memory of his words years ago.

As a sidenote, I just don't understand why God allows so many of the things that happen. Why couldn't such a wonderful minister as Larry have a wonderful wife to aid him in his ministry? Why did he have to suffer gross medical neglect and die young? Why would such powerful ministers as Keith Green and Mark Heard have to die young? The only answer I have come up with so far is that we live on a fallen planet. Sin and pain happen to all of us, like the sun shines on both the righteous and the unrighteous. But I still think God could have and should have spared their lives, because they had so much to offer. These are honest questions in my spirit, so please, if you have any deep answers to these, I welcome your feedback. I mourn the loss of Larry. His music totally SHAPED my spirit, mind, and emotions from age 9. He is and always will by my all-time favorite music artist, by far.

Brenda Caley
brendabjt@yahoo.com

Date: Mar 13, 2008

I have a different take on the two divorces that Larry worked through in his lifetime. My whole story will be posted on the message board to Larry's family. But briefly, I met Larry several times after concerts in Iowa in the mid to late 70's. In 1978, I met and married my husband (a Texan). We met up with Larry again in Houston in 1980. Struggling with our own marriage, we went to talk to him after the concert. He invited us up to his hotel room, and we spent the next two hours discussing the "ins and outs" of marriage. The bottom line was Larry believed that while we were living together as husband and wife, the reality was that we were first and foremost brother and sister in Christ. Because of that relationship, we were to prefer one another above ourselves. We talked for a long time about how this translated into everyday living, and he shared stories of his own marriage to Pam...of how he tried to make this happen in their life together. This understanding that Larry had of the marriage covenant became a foundational stone in our marriage. And even though we have split up three times over the years, the words of truth that Larry shared with us that night, and then the hearfelt prayer of blessing he prayed over us at the end, have resounded through our hearts and spirits over and over. That this year we will celebrate 30 yrs together is a testimony to the truth that Larry held onto.

Larry's two divorces are not something to be ashamed of....only a tragedy that he suffered twice from. And from his tragedies, from those ashes of pain in his life, he gave life to our marriage. The man was not a failure.....for he remained stedfast until the end. Talking about the tragedies of his life can, if we let God do it, become the foundation stones of anothers' victories.

in Him
teatime

Date: Mar 13, 2008

cRaShDoG wrote:

there is nothing wrong with mentioning peoples failures and mistakes as long as we're doing it with the right motives and showing God's love and forgiveness through it.

And, myself, being someone who's had divorce comitted against him, no one should assume that being divorced is a reflection of that person's failures or mistakes. They may have been the victim of someone breaking his or her marriage vow with them. It is quite common for people to abandon their spouses with the justification that they are no longer "happy." It takes two to make a marriage, but only one to make a divorce.

Date: Mar 13, 2008

Anonymous wrote:

It is quite common for people to abandon their spouses with the justification that they are no longer "happy."

Of course, I meant, "spuouse," not "spouses." That would a different situation etirely! = )

Date: Mar 13, 2008

Brenda Caley, Morgantown, PA wrote:

I just don't understand why God allows so many of the things that happen. Why couldn't such a wonderful minister as Larry have a wonderful wife to aid him in his ministry? Why did he have to suffer gross medical neglect and die young? Why would such powerful ministers as Keith Green and Mark Heard have to die young?
i think we all wonder why God allows some of the things to happen the way they do. my wife volunteers at make-a-wish foundation and sees so many young kids die.....why does God allow it?! That's something we'll probably never know or understand until we ourselves die, go to Heaven, and ask Him.

Melody Green shared in the book "No Compromise" that after Keith died, the Lord put the verse John 12:24 on her heart: "Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, then it produces many seeds." Keith is gone, but his music and ministry is bigger than ever and is still challenging people and bring them to salvation today.

teatime wrote:

The bottom line was Larry believed that while we were living together as husband and wife, the reality was that we were first and foremost brother and sister in Christ. Because of that relationship, we were to prefer one another above ourselves.

that's an awesome way to look at it. Next week my marrige aniversary enters double digits. 10 wonderful years and still going strong! God has really blessed me with an amazing wife!

Date: Mar 13, 2008

Oops. I just thought i'd let you know that I made the post above, but forgot and accidently left it 'anymous'.

Date: Mar 13, 2008

Brenda Caley, Morgantown, PA wrote:

As a sidenote, I just don't understand why God allows so many of the things that happen. Why couldn't such a wonderful minister as Larry have a wonderful wife to aid him in his ministry? Why did he have to suffer gross medical neglect and die young? Why would such powerful ministers as Keith Green and Mark Heard have to die young? The only answer I have come up with so far is that we live on a fallen planet. Sin and pain happen to all of us, like the sun shines on both the righteous and the unrighteous. But I still think God could have and should have spared their lives, because they had so much to offer. These are honest questions in my spirit, so please, if you have any deep answers to these, I welcome your feedback. I mourn the loss of Larry. His music totally SHAPED my spirit, mind, and emotions from age 9. He is and always will by my all-time favorite music artist, by far.

Brenda Caley
brendabjt@yahoo.com

Brenda,
I understand your questions. A lot of people have similar questions about other situations. I don't think anyone can give a clear answer. But I have some thought on this:
If you read the bible, you can read about the "big" people like Noah, Jacob, David, Salomon and so on. They were hero's and God loved them (read Hebrews, I think chapter 11, but i'm not sure). But we also read Noah was drunk, Jacob was a cheat, David killed a man to be able to marry his wife (Bathseba) and Salomon had a lot of wifes which made him bow to other gods. And read about Job. He was perfect, but look what happenend under the eye of God!
I think we can learn different lessons from this stories. We learn that you don't have to be perfect to be loved by God. Just believe, ask to forgive and try the best you can to live for God! We also learn (Job) that when bad things happen this don't have to be punishment from God. There can be other reasons we don't know about (God didn't explain to Job!). And when this kind of things happen to you, it can help you to strengthen your faith in God and also to help other people. If you experience pain, I think it is easier to understand and help other people with similar pain.
So, maybe Larry songs and ministry were so good BECAUSE of the things that happenend to him.

But well, this were just my personal thoughts... I hope it helps you a little bit.

Date: Mar 13, 2008

Ton Klapwijk wrote:

If you read the bible, you can read about the "big" people like Noah, Jacob, David, Salomon and so on. They were hero's and God loved them (read Hebrews, I think chapter 11, but i'm not sure). But we also read Noah was drunk, Jacob was a cheat, David killed a man to be able to marry his wife (Bathseba) and Salomon had a lot of wifes which made him bow to other gods. And read about Job. He was perfect, but look what happenend under the eye of God!
I think we can learn different lessons from this stories. We learn that you don't have to be perfect to be loved by God. Just believe, ask to forgive and try the best you can to live for God! We also learn (Job) that when bad things happen this don't have to be punishment from God. There can be other reasons we don't know about (God didn't explain to Job!).

That's exactly what i was saying a few posts prior to yours, but you went more in depth and made it easier to understand. Also, isn't it ironic how non-believers and believers react differently to tragedy? For believers, it can help strengthen us, but non-believers use it as an excuse to continue rejecting Christ. They blame God for tragedy and suffering, but when good things happen they don't give God any credit for it. It seems like if they're gonna blame God for the bad they should also blame him for the good.

Date: Mar 14, 2008

Boy, I tell you I'm sure glad this thread did not get closed down (near the beginning it was requested). So many of these things being said now are just so wonderful to read. I think we've gotten on to something here about how God loves and even uses all His children, though we all are sinners. After all, ONLY Jesus always pleased the Father! And, it made me realize all the more that that's one of the reasons I loved Larry so much over these 35 years--he was so much like the rest of us and he never pretended to be anything else (even though the way God worked through him was much greater than most of us). That's why he still resonates with us decade after decade and into eternity.
Can't we just see God working in this thread now? And it's all credited to Larry's account!

Date: Mar 14, 2008

There is a two hour interview that you can listen to on line. It's the Drew Marshall show, and he interviewd Larry a couple years ago. In the interview he mentioned that he gets along fine with both of his ex wives, that they have changed and are doing fine. I've also heard that Pam was a worship leader at her church for years. I read this on one of the tribute blurbs on this site.
There is also a documentary coming out later this year that goes into Larry's life, including his marriages.

Date: Mar 15, 2008

I attended in the 60s and 70s First Congregationial Church of Los Angeles were Sarah Finich and myself attended church. Sarah Finch was dating Larry Norman when she was in High School. I met Larry Norman at our church camp "Cedar Lake" in Big Bear. He was a bright Bible student of God's Word. One of our pastoral staff members credits Larry Norman for leading him to the Lord.

Thank you Larry Norman for your ministry.

Dr. Jerry E. McKeehan

Date: Mar 17, 2008

Beeing a true christian does not imply that our lives will be perfect too.
It is a great mistake when we think our faith in God is a promise to succes.
It's not true.
After becoming a cristian i will still get ill from time to time, i'll keep making mistakes, ill still be ruining relationships, still messing up my life, still be playing out of key once in a while.
But that's the whole point of becoming,living and learning in the way of Christ. During the proces, during the pilgrimage towards the end we''ll get by and by but in the meantime it won't be easy living this life in accordance with God's commandments.
Larry said it himself: " It's harder to walk on the tightrope than walk in the middle of the street."
So let's not judge in any way about people who do divorce. It's sad enough to go through such passages in life.
Let God be the judge of it. He has the wisdom and overviews the whole picture. His judgement will be right. While we only see the fragments through our own coloured views. Blinded by our own limitations,sins and tribulations we won't do any good by judging to lightly. Jesus said: He who is without any sin himself may cast the first stone.
So please let us all keep praying for all those in pain and distress, instead of judging all too lightly.

Sevenbelt

Date: Mar 17, 2008

Sevenbelt wrote:

So let's not judge in any way about people who do divorce.

there's over 40 comments posted in this thread and not a single one appears to be judgmental.

Date: Mar 29, 2008

Look people, Larry was a human, he wasn't perfect, but he did do his best to follow Jesus and help others. Leave his mistakes alone! Let his family have peace and joy in knowing Larry is finally home at last. Larry was a good man and like any of us, he made mistakes, but he always asked for forgiveness and tried as we all do to not repeat the mistakes. That's why Jesus died for us. Larry was on a mission for Jesus, Larry accomplished more than most. Please, stop asking about his past mistakes, take what Larry gave so that you might live. Talk about the good things. Larry loved everyone, he wanted to help everyone. His music reflected that so you might live!

Date: Apr 11, 2008

I liked Larry Norman. I got saved in 1972. I was 15. We used to sing his songs in a mixed denomenational fellowship group I didnt know much about him, and wondered sometimes where he had gone. I happened to read the door yesterday(4-10) and saw where he had went to be with Jesus.

Sad, yet happy for him. I have been spending time reading about him last night and today. I am reading about his divorces. I also read where he shared with a couple and they took to heart what he said(in this thread).

I think people lose fact of why it is that God hates divorce. He hates it because of what it does to the people that he so dearly loves. I think Larry understood that. He knew it wasnt a rule to keep or a law thats damning.

Let me leave you with Larry's own inspired Lyric...."Why Don't You look into Jesus, He has the Answer.

God Bless