Lawrence Edward Stemple

Lawrence E. “Larry” Stemple, age 72, a devoted Christian, died peacefully on Friday, March 1, 2024, after a long illness.  

A native of Akron and an early computer enthusiast, he graduated from Garfield High School in 1969. Larry went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Education and a master’s degree in Secondary Administration from Akron University.

During his 20-plus years in the Barberton school system, Larry was not only a teacher and counselor; he was also a popular coach and advisor to the Academic Challenge Team. 

Larry died while under the care of Crossroads Hospice and Gables of Green staff. At his side was his daughter, Erin Serrano (Stemple). Larry was a devoted father to his beloved daughter Erin, a loving son to his late parents Olga (Kuruce) and Woody Stemple of Akron, and a loving brother to the late Kenneth Stemple and to Kathleen Goforth and her husband Charles Buffum. His computer, math, and game skills made him a favorite companion to his nephews Charles Goforth, Christopher Stemple, and Andrew Stemple.

Larry is also survived by his former wife Linda Stemple, his son-in-law Nicholas Serrano, his nieces Kelly Stemple (Christopher) and Diana Stemple (Andrew), and by many Stemple and Kuruce family cousins who grew up with him in the Akron area. 

In lieu of flowers or trees the family requests that donations be made in Larry's memory to the International Society for Bipolar Disorders,

 https://www.isbd.org/donate  

 The following poem was found among Larry’s personal effects:

 When I’m Gone

When I come to the end of my journey

And I travel my last weary mile,

Just forget if you can, that I ever frowned

And remember only the smile.

Forget unkind words I have spoken;

Remember some good I have done.

Forget that I ever had heartache,

And remember I’ve had loads of fun.

Forget that I’ve stumbled and blundered

And sometimes fell by the way.

Remember I’ve fought some hard battles, 

And won, ere the close of the day.

Then forget, to grieve for my “Going”,

I would not have you sad for a day.

But in summer just gather some flowers

And remember the place where I lay;

And come in the shade of the evening

When the sun paints the sky in the west,

And stand for a moment beside me

And remember only my best.

                                             -Lyman Hancock