Larry Pirtle

LAKE MILTON — On Saturday, May 28, 2005, after a two-year battle with cancer, Larry C.  Pirtle, 59, of Lake Milton, OH, died of complications.  He leaves behind his loving wife of 40 years, Marian, 60; four children; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Larry graduated from Geneva High School in 1963, whereupon he married the love of his life, Marian Anthony of Conneaut.  Larry and Marian started their family immediately with their first child Lisa Pirtle, 39, and continued the family with Teresa, 38, and husband, Paul Etzler, Chad 34, and wife Laura Pirtle, and Dave Pirtle, 22.

Larry followed in the footsteps of his father, Clarence Pirtle, deceased, who was married to Margaret, deceased, and became an elder in the Church of Christ.  His church family was very active and important in his life.  He was there day and night for all who needed him.  They will all miss him dearly.

In life lifetime, Larry was a Cleveland sports fan, Boy Scout leader, a Little League coach, a girls’ softball coach, a Rotary member, hosted two exchange students from other countries, and took in any troubled teen who landed on his steps.  In the peak of the gas crisis in the ’70s, he purchased a motor home for the family.  By the age of 18, all of his children had seen at least 40 of the 50 states, and his youngest child had been to 12 other countries.

At the time of his death, Larry was a self-employed mechanical engineer, who worked out of his home.  His only sibling, Dr.  Charles E.  Pirtle, 63, had just retired from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., as Dean of Faculty and Professor of International Relations, School of Foreign Service.  Charles and his wife of 40 years, Mary, have purchased a home 10 miles from Larry and Marian, and will be moving here within the month.  They were intent on spending their retirement traveling together.

A note from his wife: He was my best friend, my protector, the love of my life.

A note from his children: Our father was not just a father; he was our mentor, our best friend, our teacher and the rock of our family.

Larry’s family and extended church family invite you to help us Rejoice in his life.  Calling hours will be 5 to 8 p.m.  Wednesday at FOX FUNERAL HOME, 4700 Market Street, Boardman, OH.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m.  Thursday at Lake Milton Church of Christ, 16313 Milton Ave., Lake Milton, OH.