Larry G. Shaw

Larry G. Shaw, 82, of LaGrange passed away on February 8th, 2021 at home surrounded by immediate family. Larry was born in Harrod, OH on November 24th, 1938 and was the youngest of eight children. Upon graduation from Findlay College, Larry was hired by Keystone High School in 1961 and has been a resident of LaGrange ever since.

Athletics were a key part of Larry’s life. He played football, basketball and baseball at Waynesfield High School where he remains as one of their career leading scorers in basketball. Larry received multiple basketball scholarship offers including one from the University of Dayton as well as an offer to play professional baseball from the Philadelphia Phillies but chose to stay closer to home and attend Findlay College (now the University of Findlay).

At Findlay, Larry’s basketball team advanced to the Sweet Sixteen of the NAIA basketball tournament. He played football, basketball, and baseball at Findlay earning 10 varsity letters and is the last known three sport letterman at the institution. Larry was a 1996 inductee into the University of Findlay’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

After Keystone, Larry continued his teaching and coaching career at Brooklyn, Elyria, Amherst, Midview, Cuyahoga Community College and eventually returned to Keystone. Larry coached an astonishing 51 years in seven different varsity sports influencing thousands of young athletes. A few of his proudest coaching accomplishments were leading Amherst football to the playoffs for the first time in school history and finishing state runner-up in softball at Keystone with his granddaughter Erin as one of the team members. Additionally he led the LaGrange Class D softball team, which included his daughter Cathy, to three straight state championships.

In Larry’s free time he enjoyed playing softball, golfing, and watching his children and grandchildren play sports. He also donated time to the LaGrange Community Park Board and LaGrange Hot Stove. To recognize Larry’s contribution to athletics within LaGrange and Keystone, Larry was inducted into the KATS Hall of Fame in 2006.

Larry is survived by his wife of 62 years Carol (Staup), six children: Rick (Laura) of LaGrange, Cindy (Jeff) Honroth of Strongsville, Ron (Julie) of LaGrange, Cathy Arpa of Philadelphia, Randy (Tara) of LaGrange, and Connie (Steve) Calabrese of Chicago as well as his sister Wanda (John) Harrod of Bellefontaine. Carrying on Larry’s legacy are 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Larry’s passing was preceded by his parents, Jesse and Opal, along with siblings Rita, Ken, Roger, Barbara, Bud and LaDene along with granddaughter Elizabeth Honroth.

Visitation will be Friday, Feb. 12th from 4 to 8pm at the old Keystone High School gym located at 301 Liberty St in LaGrange where physical distancing and facial coverings will be required. The funeral will be held on Saturday, Feb, 13th at 12PM Noon  with Father John Seabold officiating. Burial will take place at River Road Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to KATS (PO Box 744, LaGrange) to fund a scholarship in Larry’s name or to Hospice of the Western Reserve (17876 St. Clair Ave, Cleveland 44110). Please due to family allergies, do not send roses in any flower arrangements. Arrangements are being handled by the Duke Funeral Home 1021 Main St. Grafton.

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