Larry LeRoy Carr

Larry LeRoy Carr, 85, of Newark, passed on November 4, 2025, with a good friend at his side. Larry is best remembered as a beloved DJ on WVUD, the Voice of the University of Delaware.

Larry was born September 4, 1940, in Kenton, Ohio, where he spent his early years under the loving care of his paternal grandparents, Grace and John Henry Carr. Upon their death, he moved to Detroit where he graduated from Denby High School in 1958.

Shortly after graduation, Larry enlisted in the US Army and was stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane, Washington where he worked on Nike-AJAK missile defense. His love of airplanes grew from that experience.

After an honorable discharge, Larry lived in Wilmington, DE, with the Bayard Leach family. In 1969, his "adopted" family moved to Iron Hill, Newark. This proved a great opportunity for Larry to work and study at the University of Delaware, where he earned two bachelor's degrees: Psychology (1979) and Criminal Justice (1985). He worked in UD food service, at times including The Scrounge. Since Larry never obtained a driver's license, he could be seen heartily riding his bike up Rte. 896 to attend his university classes and to work.

In 1987, he had a serendipitous encounter with two members of the university's radio station WXDR, now WVUD, which led to his obtaining a FCC license and becoming an integral part of radio for over 38 years. Larry hosted the Fine Tuning classical show on Fridays, playing favorite composers like Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky and Beethoven. Larry is remembered for his universally applicable pep talks to the University of Delaware's Blue Hens football team.

Larry, acting as recording secretary, served faithfully as Assistant Operations Director on the WVUD Operations Board. He looked forward to WVUD's annual Rehoboth retreat where he shared his vision and helped in developing the radio station's goals and planning.

In 2010, WVUD bestowed on Larry their most cherished honor - induction into WVUD Hall of Fame. Larry's induction noted, "Larry's radio programs are from the heart. His love of music and of this community is evident in every moment. In many ways, Larry is WVUD. He is the embodiment of loyalty, positivity, passion, diversity, and teamwork that our organization strives for." (More about this award can be found on www.wvud.org.)

Larry's love for the University and its community extended beyond WVUD. He also was a faithful parishioner and volunteer at the St. Thomas More Oratory (now The Newman Center) on campus. There under the guiding hand of Fr. Szupper (Monsignor Szupper) Larry could be seen at each Saturday evening Mass, where he greeted parishioners by name with a warm smile and a Breaking Bread Missal. In 2012, Larry was awarded the Diocese of Wilmington's Diocesan Medal of Merit Award by the Most Rev. W. Francis Malooly for his outstanding and consistent volunteerism.

Larry was a walker! In 1997, he moved into Newark proper, trading his bike for sneakers. He could be seen walking Newark, wearing his backpack and one of his favorite caps - either a UD Alumni, WVUD, Army or Veteran's cap. He was proud of them all.

Like his pep talks to the Blue Hen football team, Larry "played to the end." In his mid-80's, he was still going to and from WVUD and eating at local establishments, his favorite being Perkins Restaurant, where he was a favorite of the staff. He loved his jumbo shrimp dinner, his chocolate ice cream and his coffee with several packs of sugar!

Larry was proud to be an Army veteran and appreciated the loving and outstanding care he received at the VA Hospital in Wilmington. He often remarked he owed his good health to the expert care given by the VA's staff.

In 2003, the University of Delaware extended membership to Larry in their Legacy Society. His brick can be found in The Diamond Walkway which extends from the brick gateway on Main Street to the front steps of Old College.

Larry was preceded in death by his grandparents, as well as his mother Doris Lucille McMillan and his father John Maine Carr.

Larry will be greatly missed by his family at WVUD, his cherished Catholic Church (most recently St. Margaret of Scotland) and a wide range of friends in Newark and beyond. His warmth, smile and compassion touched many lives. Larry was uniquely Larry!

A Mass of Christian Burial will be presided by Fr. Ed Ogden at St. Margaret of Scotland, 2431 Frazer Rd, Newark, DE on Thursday, November 20, at 11:30 a.m., with a Gathering of Friends 10:30-11:30 a.m. in the church lobby. Burial with military honors will follow at 1:00 p.m. at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Bear.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Larry's name to WVUD (Radiothon) at www.wvud.org or The Newman Center: Catholic Campus Ministry at udcatholic.org. Like the full beaver moon under which he passed, Larry was a huge bright light. Peace in Christ to us all during this time!

For online condolences visit: www.mccreryandharra.com