I agree with Larry Tomlin. 
 This guy was NOT a good guy. I also suffered his intolerance for non-athletes.


He was a great teacher, man and all around great guy I will never forget going into the gym and seeing his face. I am sure his family misses him daily I think of him often.
Larry Tomlin 
Class of 68

In a rapid fire, self-deprecating way, I remember a powerfully built man with a booming voice, introducing us to his gym class my freshman year.  This was the early 1980's and Mr. McVey had all the young boys of the class laughing in just a few short minutes of introducing himself. 

This was not what I was used to in a locker room; up until then, all my memories of locker rooms composed of smells I did not want to smell, sights I did not want to see, all covered in a fog of adolescent male paranoia. You see, to the mind of this tenth grader, you were what your body was and no more. 

Standing next to Mr. McVey was a pudgy, funny looking boy with a fishbowl haircut and glasses with a strange red tint.  To my surprise, the tone of the meeting suddenly changed when Couch McVey pointed to his young man; his voice became low and deferential." Now standing next to me, this is my student assistant, (the name slips me) Now, he is a different kind of "cat", but once you get to know him... you are going to like him". 

Suddenly, it was clear that the entire point of this funny gracious introduction was to secure deference for his assistant. I remember feeling lucky that I was in this man’s class, and I remember thinking that it was possible that the world was a much more forgiving place than I had thought possible.

I can’t imagine a better legacy.



The Kettering City School District was an educational school district that discriminated against disadvantaged students.   Anyone who wasn't an athlete was ostracized and harassed.  I wonder how many students dropped out of high school because of the pressure of the athlete program?

So sad to read of Larry's passing. My deepest condolence to Marlene, Dave and the entire family. Larry was a neighbor when I lived in Kettering. With our families we spent several July vacations in Myrtle Beach. It was always special to watch Larry enjoy all the family and friends and always the "all you can eat" seafood restaurants at Myrtle Beach.
Rest in peace, my friend.


Great wrestling coach at Riffle and Fairmont East. He was an inspiration to me with his enthusiasm and energy. Class of '73.

I met Mr Mcvey when I was a student in Kettering schools. Mr. Mcvey and I got along great. He was my gym teacher my fond memories of him was I was the student he had me try new things in class. If I acted up in class he would put me in a locker till I calmed down.  The locker was all in fun. Mr Mcvey was loved by all his students as he treated us like people instead of a paycheck. I would see him in the grocery store and he remembered who I was and always made time to talk to me. I graduated from Fairmont East 1966 and I know I am a better person for knowing Mr Mcvey

Our deepest sympathy to the McVey family.  We always looked forward to football weekends  at St Ignatius.  We had a chance to develop a great relationship with Coach McVey. We always enjoyed being with him and seeing how proud he was of his family.  You could always count on him for a great sports story. He will be missed by all who knew him. 

My condolences to Marlene and family on Larry’s passing. As a young wrestling coach at Alter Larry’s willingness to share practice sessions with his wrestlers and encourage me as our program developed was invaluable to me. He was positive, enthusiastic and a pleasure to be around. 

Barbara and I got to know Larry and Marlene when we attended Fairhaven Church in the 80's and 90's. Larry always kept us entertained with his humor but we knew that in his heart he was a serious believer in Jesus, our Savior. He was the life of our seniors group in those days and we were sorry to hear that he has passed on. We offer our condolences to Marlene and family in their loss.
Terry & Barbara Wicker
Tipp City, Ohio 

My condolences to the McVey family.

Coach McVey took me under his wings so to speak during football my Jr/Sr years (81/82) at Fairmont East and here are a couple of fond memories:

 My Sr year I became ill with a staff infection during 2aday practices and ended up at Kettering hospital for the first 2 weeks of school causing me to miss several games that year including the season opener against Alter. While at Kettering Hospital on game day Friday I had a surprise visit from Coach McVey, he brought me my game jersey so I could wear it that night in my room.

The last game, Sr year at Foreman field all Sr's were to be announced at the end-zone and run out to midfield and get their helmets from their fathers, my father could not attend that game for personal reasons.......Coach McVey stood in and held my helmet at mid field!

Those are memories I'll never forget.

Bobby

I will miss hearing you say "How is my pride and joy?" whether it was when you were talking to Mom, Dave & I,  or your grandchildren...the love you had for your family was incredible.  I will miss you every minute of every day until we're together again...I LOVE YOU DAD! 

Larry was not only a Teacher and Mentor of mine, He was a Great Friend. Some of the Best times at Fairmont East were Teachers like Larry. He taught me It's not what you teach, It's how you teach it! I was Honored when he joined the Dorwood Optimist Club.
I spent many years in Optimist with him, As well as Toast Masters. It was the Honor of my life to know Larry, It was even more to call him Friend!

We butted heads when I wrestled at Fairmont East. As time moved on, my respect for him grew. Wrestling was very important to me and Larry had no wrestling experience. I understood years later he was doing the best he could and was ALWAYS there. Over the years, we became close. Thanks to my brother in law, Mark Curtis, Larry attended some of Beavercreek's dual meets. Thank you, Coach McVey for being patient with a kid from East Kettering with an attitude. I will miss our talks.

Coach McVey was an integral part of my "Wonder Years" growing up. R.I.P.      FE Class of '71

Will never forget Coach Mcvey he was a great guy who meant the best for everyone around him.

I will also be grateful for Larry's leadership and mentorship the last 11 years to me. He helped me get involved with Toastmasters and the men's prayer breakfast at Fairhaven Church and his coach's prayer that we always ended the breakfast with. 

Praying for the family 

In 1972, as Julianna Lowry, I took a shop class from Coach McVey. Yes, I learned useful practical skills, but Coach also taught a can-do attitude that has served me well ever since. I think of you often, Coach.

I'm sad to hear about the loss of Mr. Mcvey.  He was a respected coach and teacher.  More than that though he made me laugh in health class.  He had to put up with my creative ways to say no to dates from my neighbor.  I guess I made him laugh I should say.  He always got me with his jokes.  Since my dad was a coach too I think he was watching my back and for that thank you Mr. McVey.  

I was saddened to hear this news. First and foremost, my thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends, and former athletes. Coach was a great man who dedicated his life to the betterment of his students and athletes. He was  a friend to our  family and my brother Jim always spoke extremely highly of him. I always enjoyed being in his company and always enjoyed that hardy laugh of his. Heaven gained a tremendous Coach and an even better man. RIP Coach. You will be missed, but always loved! 

Coach McVey helped shape me into the man I am today. I will always treasure our relationship. I asked him “Coach, why do you ride me so hard?”  His reply was “Matt, if I didn’t, it means I don’t care about you.”  That stuck with me and I use it in business today. Such great times and tough times together. He also left me with several quotes that I still treasure. Mostly inside comments. Some of you may get them. Backwards the way you’re going…..forwards the way you’re facing. I see said the blind man as he picked up his hammer and saw. Fish Pond. A few others that I can’t think of right now.  RIP Coach!!  Coach was always smiling. I miss him. 

I want to extend my condolences to my classmate David and the rest of the McVey family on Coach McVey’s passing.  Growing up with my own blindness challenges I always looked up to Mr McVey and how he handled his challenges.  I considered him a role model as I saw how he succeeded in life every day at school. I’m sorry I never expressed to him how he touched my life. Thank you and RIP Mr McVey. 

Coach was my 7th grade football coach.  I used to mow his mother's lawn since she lived only 5 houses away from me.  I saw some of the toys he played with as a kid in the garage. It was strange seeing the tough football coach's toys. His mother was tougher than him. She called me back 3 times to make the yard work up to her standards.

What a great guy!  I had him in Jr Hi. Went to his wedding.  Always up beat kind caring!  Sorry for your loss

   Carla Hentzell

  In 2007, Larry McVey participated in the Kettering’s Leadership Academy. With Larry’s positive mental attitude he quickly became a leader and an inspiration to other members of the class. Even at the age 70, he completed the network of challenges on the high ropes course to the cheers of others. It was a delightful and moving experience.
  Larry’s attitude towards life was a true gift for others. He will be missed in so many ways. Our prayers go out to Marlene and the family.

Coach McVey was an inspiration to me every day of my time in high school, both on and off the athletic field.  His passion, enthusiasm, and caring for everyone around him, students and staff alike, brightened many a day. I will miss him, but will always remember his impact on my life. Thank you, coach. And a huge thank you to his family for sharing him with us all those years.

Larry was always up for an adventure. He had many.  I was proud to be part of some of them.  From wilderness trips to a simple ride in the car I was glad to be a part of it. 

Best coach I ever had  Jim Hedrick Fairmont East football WOL champs 1972.

I had the opportunity to get to know Larry over the years through Toastmasters. We became friends and competitors in speaking contests. Ironically he was a close friend to my brother-in-law, just showing what a small world it is.

Great coach, will always have great memories of Coach McVey. May he rest In peace.

John Schmidt, Fairmont East class of ‘73

Picture at our football reunion with Coach McVey, pictured from left to right, Danny McClanahan, class of “74, Jim Hedrick and John Schmidt.  As sophomores, under Coach McVey, we were undefeated and un-scored upon for the first five games.

Thanks to Coach for making us better players and better men.

Mr McVey has a positive impact on everyone he met. As a substitute teacher he popped into many students lives for a little bit of PMA. It’s been many years but It’s one of the things that really stuck with me. He certainly left a positive impact and I hope he rests in peace knowing he made the world a better place.

OBITUARY

Larry E. McVey

April 5, 1937 – July 7, 2021

Tobias Funeral Home - Far Hills Chapel

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