From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory
Lauren “Larry” Spencer Williams, 83, Vero Beach
August 17, 1937 – June 19, 2021
Lauren “Larry” Spencer Williams born on August 17, 1937 in New Haven, CT passed away peacefully in Vero Beach, FL on June 19, 2021. Larry grew up in Milford, CT where he attended the Hopkins School before going to Yale University. He was a member of the Varsity Football team and DKE fraternity during his time at Yale. Larry went on to attend the University of Chicago Booth School of Business before launching his business career.
After a brief stint in finance at Chemical Bank in New York City, Larry found his calling when he joined Philip Morris and quickly established himself with a feel for what customers wanted and moved into marketing. He was responsible for the award winning Virginia Slims product launch and the tagline “You’ve come a long way, baby!” While in New York City, he met and married the love of his life, Judy, on April 30th, 1965. Several years later, Larry moved the family to Milwaukee to head up sales and marketing at Miller Brewing. There, he established himself as a respected member of the community and continued his success with the launch of Lite Beer and the tagline “Tastes Great, Less Filling”. After more than 20 years at Miller, Larry became President and COO of the NutraSweet company and branded the sweetener with its iconic red and white swirl and blue table packets. Larry retired in 1993 and moved with Judy to John’s Island in 1993.
While living in Vero Beach, Larry became involved in the local community as an active supporter of the Riverside Theater and VNA Hospice House. He also served on the board at John’s Island. Larry and Judy developed many great relationships in the Vero Beach community and Larry dedicated himself to caring for Judy during her battle with Alzheimer’s that ultimately took her life in 2018.
Larry was preceded in death by his older sister, Patsy, and brother Peter. He is survived by three sons, Andy, Scott and Jeff, along with their wives Tricia, Laurie and Jennifer and 12 grandchildren: Lexie, Olivia, Matthew, Spencer, Kees, Connor, Bennett, Griffin, Caroline, Alex, Mia and Quinn.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the VNA Hospice House in Vero Beach.
Mom’s obituary for reference
VERO BEACH – Judith Anne (Krysto) Williams, 79, passed away peacefully at the VNA Hospice House in Vero Beach, FL on Thursday, October 25, 2018. Judy was born in Quincy, MA on November 1, 1938 to Margaret and Walter Krysto.
Judy grew up in Duxbury, MA and Winchester, MA where she attended Winchester High School and graduated from Skidmore College in 1960. After college, she moved to New York City to work as an executive recruiter for the advertising agency J. Walter Thompson. While in New York, she met and married the love of her life, Lauren (Larry) Williams, in 1965. She and Larry moved to Milwaukee, WI, where she raised three boys. Even though she took up the game later in life, Judy became a competitive tennis player and her team won the midwest regional finals. She also learned to play golf, which she enjoyed playing with Larry, her boys and friends at John’s Island Club.
Judy is survived by her beloved husband, Larry Williams, her sons Andy Williams of Ewing, NJ, Scott Williams of Tiburon, CA and Jeff Williams of Winchester, MA, her sister Janice Polk of Hanover, MA and her brother Ronald Krysto of Marshfield, MA. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren: Alexandra, Olivia, Alexander, Connor, Mia, Bennett, Spencer, Quinn, Griffin, Kees, Caroline and Matthew.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Alzheimer and Parkinson Association of Indian River County or the VNA Hospice House in Vero Beach.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of LAUREN “LARRY” SPENCER WILLIAMS, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory
Kenneth Earl Padgett, Sr., 100, Vero Beach
April 24, 1921 – June 30, 2021
Kenneth Earl Padgett, Sr., age 100, peacefully passed on Wednesday, June 30th, 2021 of natural causes in the comfort of his Seagrove home in Vero Beach, Florida. In a life filled with incredible accomplishment in both business and in his personal life, Earl’s presence and influence will be deeply missed by those who had the distinct pleasure of his acquaintance.
Born on April 21st, 1921, in Panama City, Fl, he served honorably in World War II as a pilot in the Army Air Corps. Most notably, he flew the historic China-Burma-India route over the Himalayan mountains also known as “The Hump” He was one the last of the known living pilots that navigated this treacherous terrain. Earl would go on to receive various medals for his distinguished service to his country in WWII.
After the war he would eventually come home to Panama City where he met and married his lifelong partner and co-pilot Sarah Williams Padgett. His love for the ocean and of the natural beauty of Florida led to his long and storied career as a real estate developer. He was known as a visionary, developing many of the first subdivisions and Lodges on Panama City Beach, most notably Woodlawn and the Holiday Lodge Fishing Resort.
In 1973 Earl arrived in Vero Beach and immediately recognized the need for a landmark hotel on Ocean Drive and thus developed the Holiday Inn Oceanside. He went on to own most of the Vero Beach ocean front hotels. His crowning real estate achievement was Seagrove, where he developed hundreds of lots spanning from the Atlantic Ocean to the Indian River. There was not a day that went by where you wouldn’t find Earl and Sarah admiring the beauty of the ocean from their Seagrove home. It must also be noted that Earl never lost his love of aviation. He managed to stay in the “left seat” of his beloved Falcon well into his 80’s.
He is survived by his wife of 77 years Sarah Williams Padgett, his two loving daughters Carolyn Hotham and Cathy Padgett; his grandsons Frank Howard and Jeff Padgett, and four granddaughters; Lauren Padgett, Ashley Cox, Catherine Crawford, and Sarah Zetz. He is also survived by his nine great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son Kenneth Earl Padgett, Jr.
Visitation will be Friday, July 2nd from 4-7 pm at Strunk Funeral Home in Vero Beach, FL. Funeral Service will be held at Christ United Methodist By The Sea on Saturday, July 3rd at 10am. Celebration of Life to follow at Quail Valley River Club at 12pm. Friends are invited to attend the Funeral and Celebration of Life.
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From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory
Scott Gene Green, 53, Vero Beach
February 15, 1968 – June 25, 2021
Scott Gene Green 53 of Vero Beach, Florida, changed his earthly address to his heavenly home on June 25, 2021. We are confident of this because of a godly lady named Ruth who relentlessly prayed for his Salvation until Scott surrendered to the spirit’s call just over 30 years ago.
Scott was born on February 15th, 1968 in Denver, Colorado to Danny and Christina Green. He married the love of his life Shauna Marie Green on September 5, 1997. Their nearly 24 years of marriage was precious and they experienced the kind of love most couples dream of achieving. Through all the trials they knew God was the Heart and Head of their home. God blessed them with three loving children, their eldest son Nathaniel Levin Green, their daughter, Natalie Jean Green and their most recent gift, Gabriel Levin Green. Scott’s most precious earthly gift was his grand daughter Dani-Leigh Marie Green who was the namesake of his late father. Scott spent every day with Dani-Leigh and every Sunday they had a special date called, “Pancakes with Papa.” He truly made every minute count. Due to a promise he made his wife, he relocated his family to her home town, Vero Beach, which enabled him to master the triple threat of aviation, Center, Approach and Tower Control. Shauna quickly realized why he was so easily persuaded to move South. Survivors also include his mother Christina Lee Green of Denver Colorado, brother Shawn Edward Green (Amber) of Aurora, CO and a sister Michelle Peacock (Robert), also of Aurora. Scott was an incredible uncle who was especially close to his nieces and nephew Mikayla Peacock of Aurora, CO; Morgan and Madison Green of Aurora, CO; Laura Vinson Barthle (Justin) and William Vinson III, both of Haines City, Florida. Scott was preceded in death by his father, Danny Lee Green and his baby sister Danielle Lynne Green. We know there was a joyous reunion and celebration when Scott joined his loved ones who were in Heaven awaiting his arrival.
Living near the airport as a small child Scott had an indescribable, immeasurable love for aviation. After his senior year at the University of Colorado Boulder where he was seeking a degree in Aviation Administration while simultaneously working for Jeppesen-Sanderson, Inc. the world’s authority on charting maps for air travel world-wide. True to Scott fashion he began in the mail room at Jeppesen and very quickly climbed his way to charting. Scott was approached by executives at Jeppeson-Sanderson, Inc. and presented with the opportunity to catapult his career by joining the United States Navy and becoming an air traffic controller beginning in San Diego, California. Shortly after that the Federal Government transferred him to Civil Service and relocated him to Boston Center. His career was a dream come true and he lived and loved all things aviation. Scott always gave God the glory for the path in aviation, realizing that only God and God alone made all this possible.
During the course of Scott’s career which began at Boston Center, Scott transferred to Denver Approach 1999-2002 where he added more skill to his controlling ability. Scott also possessed a love for learning and gleaning any wisdom and skill he possibly could.
In 2012 at Boston Center Scott was once again presented with the opportunity to climb the ladder from a Operations Supervisor in Area E to Supervisor Traffic Management Coordinator. After a presentation with the airline executives Scott realized his need for help with public speaking. He sought out Toastmaster’s International to assist him on his journey to speak with confidence and clarity. This decision proved to be the most rewarding and successfully helped him achieve the goal of streamlining air traffic throughout the Northeast in all kinds of adversity. He witnessed advancements within the FAA that he attributed greatly to Toastmasters International’s Speaking and Leadership programs. In addition, Scott gained a loving, yet always critiquing, encouraging family of achievers. Scott achieved Distinguished Toastmasters status 3 times. He loved helping others achieve their greatest potential. His journey through Toastmasters was one he shared with his wife and they became a powerful, motivating couple to all their friends in District 45 and District 31.
In 2017 he competed on the World Stage of Public Speaking in Vancouver, British Columbia. Scott and his wife Shauna were Area and Division Governors throughout the Northeast region of the United States.
Scott has touched and inspired so many lives and has received many awards for his accomplishments and achievements, but everyone would agree Scott’s greatest achievements were his Love for the Lord and passion for his wife and family. Scott was a friend to all, a stranger to none, and was larger than life.
Scott was passionate in helping others to succeed, whether it was helping air traffic controllers find their way to their full potential or a toastmaster pursuing their dream to speak confidently and clearly. Scott was always available to lend a helping hand and encouraged each individual to achieve and surpass their expectations and embrace their dreams.
Scott recently claimed a place of worship, home. He had been attending Shiloh Youth Ranch Chapel and was thankful to God for attending a place of worship that he said, “felt like home.”
In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution may be made to Shiloh Youth Ranch, 10655 Roseland Road, Sebastian, FL 32958.
The family will receive friends from 4-7PM, Friday, July 9, 2021 at the Strunk Funeral Home in Vero Beach, Florida. The service celebrating a life well lived for Scott will begin at 2PM on Saturday, July 10, 2021 at Grace Baptist Church in Vero Beach with military honors provided by the Sebastian Area Veterans Honor Guard. A reception will follow. Interment is planned for Fort Logan National Cemetery in Colorado.
For those unable to attend or needing to socially distance, we welcome you to join us in remembering our loved one online: please see guest registration on Strunk Funeral Home Page for web address.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of SCOTT GENE GREEN, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
From Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
Robert E. Lyons, 92, Vero Beach
June 28, 1929 – June 29, 2021
Robert E. Lyons, 92, of Vero Beach, FL, died Tuesday, June 29, 2021 at Lawnwood Medical Center in Fort Pierce, FL.
Mr. Lyons was born in Martinsville, Clinton County, OH and moved to Vero Beach in 1988 from Wilmington, OH.
He had been an electrician for Updyke Electric before his retirement. He was a member of the Riverside Baptist Church in Ft. Pierce, FL and the IBEW local 82. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, and had been in the signal corp.
Survivors include his son, James Lyons of Nancy, KY, son, Timothy Montgomery of Peebles, NC; daughter, Shawna Zurface of Nancy, KY; brother, Russell Lyons; 12 grandchildren and __ great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his sisters, Shelly Rapp and Leona Harbey, and his first wife, Jane Lyons.
Mr. Lyons will be transferred to the Reynolds-Smith Funeral Home in Wilmington, OH, and interment will take place in Martinsville Cemetery in Martinsville, OH.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Foundation.
Arrangements are under the direction of Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home in Vero Beach.
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