Larry Charles Hamm

Larry Charles Hamm, 87, of Winter Haven, went to be with the Lord on July 31, 2025 at home, of natural causes. A resident of Polk County since 1974, Larry was born on January 5, 1938 in Millersburg, Ohio, the first son of Lloyd C. and Ruth Klingler Hamm. Brought up in Dover, Ohio, Larry was a member of the Dover High School class of 1956, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy from Ohio Northern University in 1961. He practiced pharmacy in both hospital and retail settings until his retirement in 2011.

Larry met his future bride while at ONU, the former Carol Sue Schindler of Ada, Ohio, and the two were wed September 7, 1958 at the bride's family home. The couple brought up four sons, Gordon, Keith, Lloyd and Brad, and at one time owned and operated the Wagon Wheel Restaurant in West Lafayette, Ohio. They were faithful and active members of Mansfield Baptist Temple in Mansfield, Ohio, Larry serving as a deacon until they moved to Florida in 1974.

Larry was faithful to serve in each church they attended as a family, First Haven Baptist Church, Faith Baptist Church and later, First Baptist Church of Lucerne Park, all in Winter Haven.

Larry will be remembered as a man who was faithful to his wife and children, to his local church fellowship and to the Lord. He was a man of integrity, generosity, with a quick wit and sense of humor, and full of laughter. He was a storyteller, a poet, angler, gardener, tinkerer, carpenter and artist; a Papa who played endless board games, fished with and gave tractor rides to his grandchildren.

Larry's life made a Godly difference in this world, and in the lives he so carefully stewarded, for all eternity. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Ruth Hamm, and is survived by his dear wife, Sue, of 66 years, his sons, Gordon (Ducia), Ashland, Ohio; Keith (Vickie), Lakeland; Lloyd (Alexa), Homeland; and Brad (Charlene), Colorado Springs, CO; brother Steve Hamm (Diane), Lake Wales; sister Sue Allenbach, Mansfield, Ohio; 22 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.