Larry Kendall Counce

A Clear Resonance Across Thirty Years: In Memory of Master Bellmaker Larry Counce

I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mr. Larry Counce on December 4th, 2025. Looking at the masterfully crafted bells in my hands, my thoughts inevitably drift back to a moment more than thirty years ago.
Back then, when I reached out to Larry to order a set of bells, he didn't just treat it as a cold transaction. Instead, he asked me with genuine care: "What kind of hawk are you flying?" When I told him I was flying a Japanese Sparrowhawk, a small and delicate raptor, Larry replied with characteristic honesty, saying that the bells he had in stock were all too large for such a small bird.
However, what happened next was a gesture of professional spirit and kindness that I have never forgotten. Larry told me that he would specially craft a custom size just for my hawk. Furthermore, he insisted that these two pairs of specially made bells would be a gift-he refused to take a single penny for them.
Not long after, I received this surprise from across the ocean. The bells were a perfect manifestation of his legendary "equator reinforced butt-joint" craftsmanship. Even at such a small scale, the sound remained crisp, piercing, and incredibly clear. To me, they were more than just equipment; they were a symbol of a master´s warmth and mentorship toward a fellow falconer from a distant land.
Thirty years have passed in the blink of an eye. The Japanese Sparrowhawk is long gone, and these bells have long since been retired from use, but I have always kept them in a place of honor. They stand as a testament to a pure, borderless friendship within the falconry community.
Now that the Master has departed, the world will see no more bells personally handmade by Larry. Yet, every time I gently shake these gifts I´ve held for three decades, that clear ring seems to echo the passion and generosity of the old gentleman from Tennessee.
Rest in peace, Larry Counce. Thank you for the beautiful sound you left for the world to hear.
- Johnson Wang, from Taiwan