Larry Ritter
Larry Dean Ritter, “Big L,” of Carey, went to meet his Lord and Savior on Saturday, July 19, 2025, in the comfort of his home, surrounded by his family.
Larry was born May 25, 1961, in Paintsville, Ky., to Clarence B. Perkins and Lila Jean Ritter. He was later adopted by his step-father, Paul Eugene Ritter Sr., all three of whom passed prior.
Larry, a 1979 graduate of Carey High School, went on to receive an associate’s degree in business/supervision from Owens Community College in 2006. He worked at Bridgestone APM in Findlay and Upper Sandusky for 21 years, where he was a supervisor for just over 19 of those years. Larry was a hard-working individual who worked two or three jobs for most of his life. Among those include, Mt. Idy Bowling Alley, Fagan & Sons Tooling and Motion Industries. He also turned his love of words into a 30-year journey of covering both his alma-mater and Mohawk High School sports for both The Progressor-Times and The Mohawk Leader. He was passionate about the student athletes and had fun writing about their various accomplishments. He especially loved writing “Larry’s Line.”
In his younger days, Larry was an avid bowler and competitive softball player. He was a member of Carey Eagles and Upper Sandusky Elks.
Music, sports and photography were all passions that allowed Larry to travel the country. From Ohio to Grand Turk Island, he captured live music with his remarkable photography. His venture enabled him to meet the likes of entertainers such as Rob Zombie, Ice T and his friends in the band, Texas Hippie Coalition.
Larry had a zeal for life and those that he shared it with, especially after receiving the miracle of a second chance at life when he was given a liver transplant on Dec. 30, 2023, at the amazing Cleveland Clinic, to take care of cancer.
He married Michelle Laugherty in 1981 and would later divorce. He then married Donna Jean Fruth of Vanlue on Sept. 3, 1985, and she survives.
Larry is also survived by brothers, Jim (Jackie) Perkins and Paul E. (Kathy) Ritter Jr., both of Carey, Charles Erhart of Findlay, Dennis Scott Perkins and Willie Ray Perkins, both of Chillicothe; sisters, April (Rusty) Ellis of Leesburg and Ronda (William) Binner of Findlay; sons, Joshua Wade Ritter of Fostoria and Jeremy Joseph “Bean” Ritter of Carey; as well as daughter, Jessica Marie Ritter of Findlay; grandchildren, JeShell, Travis, Devon, Austin, Kaydin, Karmyn, Bryson and Braylah; great-grandson, Hudson; and many others that he loved as his own.
Visitation for Larry will be on Thursday, July 24, from 4-8 p.m. at Stombaugh-Batton & Snyder Funeral Home, Carey. The celebration of life service will be held on Friday, July 25, at 11 a.m. at Crawford Church, Carey. The Rev. Cynthia Morrison will officiate. Interment will follow at Spring Grove Cemetery, Carey.
Memorial contributions may be made in Larry’s honor to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Online condolences, as well as a fond memory, can be shared with Larry’s family by visiting www.stombaughbatton.com.
