Larry Jay Smucker

Larry Jay Smucker, 82, of Wooster, passed away Wednesday March 20, 2024, at Wooster Community Hospital.

Larry was born July 23, 1941, in Wooster to Levi Jay and Dorothy {Marsh} Smucker.

He graduated from Orrville High School in 1959, graduated at Manchester College in 1963 and earned his Masters and Specialist degrees from Indiana University.

Larry started his teaching career in Northfield H.S. in Wabash, IN, moving on to Norwayne H.S. and finished his teaching career at Mansfield Madison School District. 

He married Linda Zimmerman on April 4, 1964. She survives.

Larry owned Wayne Holmes Driving School, teaching thousands of people how to drive. Larry was best known for his long-time involvement with the Wooster Parks and Recreation Department’s Youth Swimming program for over 30 years. He coached hundreds of swimmers of all ages. His mission to teach the basics of swimming and its benefits impacted thousands over many decades. He was honored by the City of Wooster for these efforts in a ceremony designating July 7, 2007 as “Larry Smucker Day”. He was inducted into both the Wayne County (2010) and Orrville High School (2022) Halls of Fame. Larry was active in the Boys and Girls Clubs.

He was a member of Trinity United Church of Christ and was an active member of the Wooster Rotary Club. 

During his retirement, Larry and Linda were snowbirds for 24 years in Lakeland, Florida. Larry enjoyed golfing (scoring 2 holes-in-one in one round), Florida’s Senior Games, and spending time with his friends and family. 

Larry will be deeply missed by his wife Linda; children Matthew (David Thompson) Smucker of Chicago, Amy (Chad) Welty of Wooster; grandchildren Jordan, and Jessica Baker, Madyson and Taryn Welty; brother Bruce (Linda) Smucker of Orrville and sisters Barb (John) Steiner of Orrville, and Jean Kimberlin of Adamsville.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Joe, Jim, and Ken Smucker and sister Nancy Smucker.

Friends may call Friday, March 22, from 3 to 7 p.m. at Trinity United Church of Christ, 150 E. North St., Wooster. Funeral services will be Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at the church (and livestreamed at www.RobertsFuneralHome.com/obituaries/Larry-Smucker) with Rev. Dr. Kevan Franklin officiating. Burial will be at Sherwood Memorial Gardens. Roberts Funeral Home-Sherwood Chapel, Wooster is assisting with arrangements. Online tributes may be made at www.RobertsFuneralHome.com. Memorial contributions may be made to the Natatorium Fund or the Boys and Girls Club of Wooster Fund, both at the Wayne County Community Foundation, 517 N. Market St., Wooster, OH 44691.