Obituary

Lawrence W. Stickler age 82 of Tellico Village died at home on August 4th 2023 after a battle with lung cancer. 

He was born in Cincinnati Ohio in 1941 and graduated from Deer Park High School in 1959. Coming from a large family, he worked his way through college at Bowling Green State University and graduated after completing his military commitment. He was married on August 14, 1965 to Linda (McLaughlin) of Erie PA, was drafted in the Army in 1967, attended Army Officer Candidate School at Ft. Sill, OK and served as a Company Commander at Ft Knox, Ky for 2 1/2 years. He had a successful 24-year career in the Airline Catering industry: first with Sky Chefs, a part of American Airlines, and then with Marriott Corporation and CaterAir Inc. as General Manager at O’Hare International in Chicago.

He and his wife moved to their lake house in Tellico Village in 1996 where he became active in a number of activities. They both were daily “Walk and Talkers” for numerous years, Larry was a pioneer member of TBART, past Commander of the Cruising Club, and President of the Lions Club where he co-chaired the Lions Brat Fest and chaired the Chili/Soup Dinner for many years, was involved with the school sight program, and helped the Lenoir City Women’s Club with their annual Arts and Craft Fair for many years. He was also a member of the American Legion Tellico Lake Post 256 and the Tellico Village Corvette Club.

He was a voracious reader of current events, science, nature conservancy, and especially history, enjoyed boating, jet skiing, riding in his Corvette (which he dreamed of owning since he was a kid), golfing in the Rusty Zipper and Double Divots Groups (although he always considered himself a “duffer”), socializing with friends and new acquaintances alike since he never met a stranger.

He and Linda loved traveling, visiting all 50 states and numerous countries around the world. Larry’s hobby was planning trips for them as a couple and also cruises and land trips for many special friends to Australia and New Zealand, Costa Rica, Alaska, South America, Europe, Tahiti, Africa and the Caribbean just to name a few.

Preceded in death by his mother Wanda (Massey), father Joseph, and brother Alan. He is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years Linda, sons Shawn (Silvia), and Todd, grandson Brandon (Beronica) Locascio, brother David, sisters Harriet Hogg, Roberta Hammond, and Jane (Joe) Sommer, sister-in-law, Leigh Stickler, 16 nieces and nephews and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Community Church at Tellico Village on August 19, 2023 at 11:00 a.m.  Live streaming of the service will be available at www.tellicochurch.com/ and click “Watch” on the top right of the website.

The family wishes to thank the Covent Health Care/Hospice team for their compassion and support.

In lieu of flowers, being a lover of animals, Larry would request any desired donations be made to The Lenoir City Friends of Animals, in care of Kimmy Goodson at 231 Oligi Circle, Tellico Village TN 37774, or another animal rescue organization of your choosing.