Band plans benefit for Crystal Lake sailor killed in Colorado
Mike Dermont didn't know John Larimer, the Crystal Lake native killed in the July 20 shootings at an Aurora, Colo., movie theater. But Dermont is hoping he and his bandmates can do their part to help a community heal.
On Friday, Aug. 3, Dermont and his band, Friction, will play a concert at the London Club, 394 W. Virginia St., Crystal Lake, to benefit a memorial fund set up in Larimer's name.
“I never met him, but there is probably the six degrees of separation,” said Dermont, lead singer of the band. “I just felt like this was something that needed to be done. It's so tragic and struck so many people close to home.”
A $10 donation at the door, as well as proceeds from food and drink specials on the night will go to the John T. Larimer Memorial Fund. Donations can also be made at Citibank, 225 W. Virginia Ave., Crystal Lake.
Dermont said the concert will start at 9 p.m.
Larimer, a Navy cryptological technician stationed at Buckley Air Force Base, was attending a midnight screening of the new Batman movie, “The Dark Knight Rises,” when a gunman went on a shooting spree killing 12 people and injuring more than 70 others. The sailor shielded his girlfriend from the gunfire.
Like Larimer, Dermont was born and raised in Crystal Lake and graduated from Crystal Lake South High School. Though he now lives in Sleepy Hollow, Dermont said his two children grew up in Crystal Lake.
“When I heard of the senseless shooting of fellow CL resident and CL South Alum John Larimer in Aurora, CO it sent a shock thru my soul!” Dermont wrote on his Facebook page Wednesday. “While I never knew John and his family, I cannot help but to feel their pain!”
Larimer's body will arrive at O'Hare International Airport this afternoon and be accompanied by veterans groups in a procession down Route 14 through Fox River Grove, Cary and Crystal Lake and then north on Route 31 and west again on Route 176 before arriving at the Davenport Family Funeral Home, 419 E. Terra Cotta Ave., at about 3:30 p.m.
A public visitation for Larimer will be held from 3 to 9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
A private funeral and burial also is planned.