(Longtime Coach & Teacher At Wauseon)
Larry L. Fruth, age 89, passed away on September 8, 2024 at Hospice of Northwest Ohio in Toledo.
Larry was born on September 18, 1934 to the late Donald and Louise (Lulfs) Fruth in Napoleon, OH.
Larry was awarded many athletic awards in high school, but his greatest achievement was his high school sweetheart, Sharon.
Larry and Sharon (Babcock) were married in 1955. He then served two years in the U.S. Army and completed his degree at Bowling Green State University.
Larry began his career at Wauseon High School in 1959. Over the years he taught American Government and Biology and also served as Guidance Counselor and Athletic Director.
He was the Head High School Football Coach from 1960-1983. He remains, to this day, the winningest football coach in Wauseon’s school history with 141 wins. He always attributed his success to his coaching assistants who served alongside him over the years.
Larry received many awards including being inducted into the Napoleon High School Athletic Hall of Fame, Wauseon’s Educators Hall of Fame, and Wauseon’s Athletic Hall of Fame. He was also named NW Ohio Coach of the Year three times.
In 1991, he was inducted into the Ohio High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame in Ohio Stadium at The Ohio State University. But his greatest honor came in 2021, when Wauseon’s Football Stadium was named Larry L. Fruth Stadium.
Even with his many awards, all those who called him Coach know that his greatest legacy remains how his guidance, encouragement, and presence truly changed their lives.
Larry also served as a member of the Wauseon Planning Commission, Wauseon School Board of Education, and the Northwest Ohio Four County School Board. Larry was also an active member of the Church of the Master United Methodist Wauseon.
In Larry’s retirement, he and his wife were in attendance to the most sporting events on record (unofficially) with a popcorn shared at each one. It was his joy to support his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He also enjoyed traveling to Europe to visit his past exchange students, catching up with old friends around town, delivering lemonade poolside to his wife, keeping the candy jar filled for his grandkids, encouraging everyone he came in contact with, and golfing with many friends, kids, grandchildren and great-grandson.
With all this said, the thing that will be most remembered about Larry L. Fruth is the power of his presence.
The simple fact that he showed up and cared for so many people throughout his life proves that lives can be changed simply by being present. Because of this, he will be remembered by many.
Larry is survived by his wife, Sharon; son, Marc (Karen) Fruth; son, Todd (Norma) Fruth; son, Larry Fruth; daughter, Shari (Merle) Vogt; daughter-in-law, Deb Fruth. He is also survived by nine grandchildren (Trevor, Tyson, Zack, Kelby, Rachel, Gabe, Grace, Joe, and John), eight great-grandchildren; sister, Peg (Ed) Zimmerman; brother-in-law, Sonny Babcock. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Dawn Fruth.
A celebration of life will take place on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at 1pm, at the Larry L. Fruth Stadium- Wauseon, Ohio (inclement weather plan: Wauseon High School Gymnasium). Pastor Ronald Kauffman will officiate. A private burial service will take place at Forrest Hill Cemetery in Napoleon, with Pastor Ben Sheaffer officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Dawn Suzanne Fruth Memorial Scholarship Fund or the Donor’s Choice.
Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.grisierfh.com. The Edgar-Grisier Funeral Home of Wauseon is honored to serve the Fruth family.
The obituary for Larry was lovingly prepared by his family. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Larry L. Fruth, please visit our floral store.