Lawrence "Larry" M. Humphrey

Lawrence “Larry” M. Humphrey, Jr., of Akron, Ohio, died February 18, 2018. Larry was born on March 15, 1931 in Akron, Ohio, to Lawrence and Beatrice Humphrey. In his youth, he played xylophone in the high school band and enjoyed big band music. He loved milk, whether it was a nice tall glass or a bulging bowl of vanilla ice cream. He was an artillery soldier with his jump wings during the Korean War. Larry loved dancing, so when he met Patty, a professionally trained dancer, he knew that she was the one for him. It was wonderful to watch them take to the dance floor together. They were married November 21, 1959 and raised seven children together. He worked as an estimator at Akron Paving. When his kids spotted his signature safety orange pickup truck driving down the block they began shouting “Daddy’s home” repeatedly as they ran to the house to greet him. By the time he reached the driveway, the whole neighborhood knew that he was home. He volunteered countless hours at Christ the King Church. He ran the bingo hall for decades; the profits were used to build a school and a gym. Larry was also quick witted. Once when he was picking up an envelope stamper for the church, a person who recognized him, pointed at him from across the office and said, “Oh, Christ the King”. A hush fell over the office and with a straight face Larry replied “You know, people don’t usually recognize me”. Just one memory – There are so many more from a life so well lived. Larry was preceded in death by his loving wife of 34 years, Patricia; parents, Lawrence and Beatrice Humphrey; brothers, Greg (Linda) and Paul. He is survived by sister, Bea (Dick) Scott; and brother, Joe (Sandy) Humphrey; his children, Lisa George, Laurie (Doug) Dunlap, Mark, Theresa (Sean) Pluckter, Vicki (Jack), Julie Pemberton, and Amy (Rich) Cox; grandchildren, Gabriel (Lauren) Caprez, Lyndsey (Jack) Adams, Samuel and Joshua George; Emma, Meghan and Sarah Humphrey; Ashley (Robert) Thurman, Kevin and Ryan Pluckter; Robert (Carina), William, and Kyrie; Jackson Pemberton; Beatrice and Ridley Cox; great-grandchildren Jaclyn, Collin, Max, and Quinn; and many other loving family and friends. The family wishes to thank the wonderful caregivers at Continuing Health Care of Cuyahoga Falls and Crossroads Hospice for providing Larry with continuous care while he suffered with Alzheimer’s disease. Visitation will be Thursday, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Hopkins Lawver Funeral Home, 547 Canton Road (Route 91), Akron, Ohio 44312. Funeral service will be Friday, 10 a.m. at Blessed Trinity Church, 300 East Tallmadge Avenue, Akron, Ohio 44310, with Reverend Joseph Warner officiating. The funeral service will be followed by interment with military honors provided by Mogadore VFW Post 8487. Larry’s final resting place will be Holy Cross Cemetery. You are invited to http://www.hopkinslawver.com/ to view Larry’s tribute wall, offer condolences and share memories. (Hopkins Lawver, AKRON, 330-733-6271) www.hopkinslawver.com