Larry Gene Montgomery

Larry Gene Montgomery, age 78, of Safety Harbor, FL went home to Heaven on April 15, 2020 with his wife at his bedside.

Larry was born on Nov. 5, 1941 to Willie Walker and Katie Mae (Joyce) Montgomery in Laredo, TX. The family lived in Georgia and Detroit, Michigan before moving to Ravenna, Ohio in 1959. In 1966, Larry joined the US Army and was stationed in Berlin, Germany from 1968 to 1970 when he was honorably discharged.

Larry’s passion was the sport of bowling and in 1966, he joined the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA). He was extremely proud of his seventh place finish in the 1971 US Open and other finishes in the top 24 throughout his career. In 1971, he won the PBA Headquarters Region Resident Pro tournament which qualified him for the National Resident Pro, where Larry finished second. History repeated itself in 1975, when he won his second National Resident Pro tournament.

While bowling in Dick Hoover’s team tournament in June 1978, Larry bowled back-to-back 300 games while moving pairs. It is believed he may have been the first person ever to do so. He began the third game with 3 strikes giving him 27 strikes in a row. He finished with 227 giving him an 827 series. Larry bowled over twenty 300 games in his career.

Bowling took Larry to many places during his lifetime. During a trip to Independence, Missouri, Larry and his teammates met former President Harry S. Truman. When Larry introduced himself, President Truman said “damn Field Marshall Montgomery”. Larry would later tell people he was cussed out by Pres. Truman.

Larry’s bowling accomplishments have not gone unnoticed as he was inducted into the Portage County Bowling Hall of Fame, the Summit County Sports Hall of Fame, and the Tri-County Bowling Hall of Fame. Larry continued to bowl for the remainder of his life and maintained his PBA status, often bowling on the PBA 50 tour for seniors.

Bowling brought Larry together with the love of his life, Vicki Reber and they married on July 3, 1986. Their marriage was a union of complete love, devotion and respect for each other as many family and friends will attest. In 1994, Larry and Vicki moved to Florida. Larry worked for Quest Diagnostics Laboratory as a route service representative for 17 years before retiring at age 71.

Larry is survived by his beloved wife of 34 years, Vicki, 2 daughters: Lynda (Molly) Montgomery - Maher of Canton, OH, Sharon known as Bink (Dave / Gis) Gissinger of Akron, OH, 2 sisters: Eva (John) Roach and Janette Nelson both of Michigan, his nephew / brother, Kenneth (Sondra) Roach of Ravenna, OH, his granddaughter, Alex Boggs and 2 grandsons, Ryan Gissinger and Cole Montgomery-Maher in addition to many nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews. In addition, he leaves his beloved cats, Cali and Tuesday.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Billy and Delano (Dale) and his nephew, Larry Roach. Cremation has taken place.

A celebration of life will be conducted in Ohio at a later date due to the corona virus.

Donations can be made to the ASPCA or any local animal shelter.