ROSEVILLE — Rick Crooker said his friend of 58 years, Steven Vannorstrand, was a big fan of music. He was also interested in how they did the special effects in sci-fi movies and horror movies, and he collected movie memorabilia.

“Steve collected interesting movie items, including a 7-foot-tall replica of the ‘Alien’ creature, which he displayed in the front living room of his home. It was an interesting piece to see when you walked in the front door,” Crooker said.

They grew up together, meeting when Crooker was 5 years old and attending school together from kindergarten through high school. They stood up in each other’s weddings and played table tennis together.

In later years, they would drive together to Port Huron to play music with several other friends.

“This weekly event gave S

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