Larry B. Lavery

1938 - 2025

Larry B. Lavery

October 28, 1938 - August 10, 2025

Larry B. Lavery, 86, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 10, 2025 at the OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria, IL. Born in Decatur, IL on October 28, 1938 to Charles and Helen (Madigan) Lavery, he married his high school sweetheart Sharon Keyes in 1960. He was a member of St. Jude's Catholic Church in Peoria, IL.

Larry is survived by two sisters, Katherine Marinas, Mary (Bob) Lewis, and one brother, Michael (Angela) Lavery. Also surviving are three children, Amy (Eric) Gregory of Greer, SC, Jeanne Adams of Peoria, IL and Pat (Leslie) Lavery of Peoria, IL; seven grandchildren, Clayton Gregory, Kody (Jocelyn )Anderson, Nichole (David) Beman, Amanda (Jason) Lynn, Christina Lavery, Matthew Lavery and Brandon Lavery, and four great grandchildren; as well as life-long friend Phil Salzer.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife Sharon on November 6, 2022, one sister, Pat Branch, brother James Lavery, and son-in-law Marcus Adams.

After graduating from St. Teresa High School in Decatur, he went on to play football for the University of Illinois, where he was a standout lineman. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles and Boston Patriots, signing with Boston of the American Football League in 1961. He was injured in spring training, so Larry decided to pursue a fulfilling coaching career instead.

He later became the head football coach at Peoria Central High School, leading the program for 27 seasons. During his tenure, he amassed a 176-109-2 recordthe most wins of any coach in the school's history at the timebefore retiring after the 1998 season.

Larry took 11 Central teams to the state playoffs and finished second in Class 4A in 1988. He won two conference titles and had one undefeated season.

Respected throughout the state, he served as president of the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association and was director of the Greater Peoria Area Football Coaches Association Clinic for ten years.

He was a member of the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame and received the Ray Eliot Service Award from the HSFCA.

Although he was dedicated to his career, he was even more so committed to his family.

Funeral Mass will be on Thursday, August 14, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. at St. Jude’s Catholic Church. Visitation will be two hours prior from 10 a.m. until time of services, also at the church. Fr. Patrick Henehan will officiate and burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery in Peoria, IL.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Catholic Church or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Tributes and condolences may be made at www.wrightandsalmon.com.