Larry Leroy Dawson, Jr., affectionately known as Tank, Turk and LD, was born on April 25, 1977 to Willie R. Wilkerson and Larry L. Dawson, Sr. in Blytheville, Arkansas. The family relocated to Lansing, Michigan when Larry was just a toddler. Even though Larry was born in the south, he became the Northside General in Michigan. Larry grew up in church at Paradise Missionary Baptist under the leadership of the late Rev. Herman Green. Larry was on the junior usher board and was very fond of his Sunday school teacher, who is now the Pastor of Paradise Church, Rev. Hilton T. Thomas. In 2015 Larry left Paradise Baptist and joined Solid Rock Full Gospel Baptist Church under the ministry of Overseer James Carter Sr and Rev. Marlon Carter.

Larry loved to rap, play sports; bowling, football and basketball were his favorite, playing in Gus Macker tournaments for 10 years. Larry attended Lansing School district, graduating from JW Sexton High School in 1996. He was a pillar in his community and mentored many youths over the years, and was youth of the year at the Boys and Girls Club of Lansing. Larry was a great dancer and even better at managing and producing, and called himself LD Productions. When it came down to talent shows with his niece, Akeya, he wanted perfection, he would always say, "run that back," until it was just right! LD Productions won the talent show that year. Larry loved kids, especially his children, nieces and nephews always wrestling with them and putting them in headlocks. Larry was a true family man, he had a big heart, he made you feel loved, he made you feel safe. Larry was a jokester, if you were in a damper mood he would liven things up – he would rap, pull pranks, and always take pictures especially of you sleeping. He was very protective of his family, especially his mom, sisters, female cousins, and baby cousin Lil Charles. Larry was who he was, he was a peacemaker always trying to resolve the issue first, but his family knew that Big Tank was coming like thunder if no resolution was reached!

Larry attended Lansing Community College, and in 1997 he enlisted in the United States Army. Larry held many jobs in Lansing, Lansing School District and Rally's just to name a few. Larry successfully obtained and held a CDL. Tank found his calling in July of 2008 when he joined the Loyal Over Everything SC Club. Then in 2013 Tank, along with Jimari Warren, aka Moped, started the Phantom Outlaw's where he had been a loyal member ever since. In 2016 Larry became part of the ZT (Zero Tolerance) Security Team; serve and protect, that was his thing.

Larry was loved by everyone. To know him was to love him. He will be dearly missed. He departed this earthly life and entered the presence of the Lord at the young age of 45. He was surrounded by his family on August 7, 2022 at Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Larry was a beloved son, brother, uncle, nephew, father, and cousin.

Larry was preceded in death by: his grandparents, Viola and Oscar L. Dawson, Sr., Theodoria Wilkerson and Columbus Graves; aunts, Denise Toni Wilkerson, Gertrude Smith, Ethel Lee Norris, Amanzie Straughter, Barbara Dawson Joiner; uncles, Oscar(Big Mane) Dawson, Jr., Marvin Dawson, Henry Wilkerson, Jr., Leroy Donnell Sturghill, Jesse Earl Tyes; brother, Julian (Dj Young Ju) Mallet; godmother, Johnnie Louise Camper; cousins; close friends; and best friend, Roy Chester Verser, Jr.

Larry leaves to cherish his fond memories: his beautiful children, Breyanna (Briant) Jackson, Lexis Dawson, Camara Robinson, Larry (Spank) Dawson, III, Larreon (Lil Tank) Dawson, La'Zaevion (Twist/FatMan) Dawson; grandchildren, Za'Marion, Gervonta and Za'Layah; parents, Willie Dawson and Larry (Julia) Dawson, Sr.; grandmother, Martha Dawson; siblings, Jackie (Art) Brown, Lorenzo Dawson Sr, Teresa (Frank) Snead, Lawrence Dawson, Sr., Kirkland (Tamanna) Mallett, Larren (Keishandra) Dawson and, Devin Dawson; a host of nieces and nephews; aunts, Bertha Curtis, Essie (Charles) James, Mary-Lois (Simon) Donald, Patsy (Neal) Macklin, Gloria (Willie) Brown, Lillie (Robert) Olgin, Elmina (Freddy) McKinney, Willie Mae Echols, Annie Ruth George; uncles, Clarence Frazier, Anarion Frazier, James (Debra) Wilkerson, Johnny Wilkerson, Clifford Dawson, Michael (Kathy) Dawson, David (Constance) Dawson, Scott (Yolanda) Dawson, Devin (Debo) Dawson, Andrew (BeBe) Dawson; Major (Nona) Howard Jr, Godfather, Henry Rogers; Goddaughter, LaQuecia Gibson; Godbrothers, Henry-Hank (Melissa) Rogers, Martin Luther King, Larry (Jayme) King, Jr.; Godsister, Christine Rogers; Phantom Forever Forever Phantom motorcycle club; Zero Tolerance family; close friends, Dr. Bryan Beverly, DeYeya E. Jones, Corey Cannon and Cameron Ridley; and too many other close friends to name.

Arrangements for Mr. Dawson are as follows: