Larry Allen Seward

On this day of the Lord, October 1, 2017, our Heavenly Father called to Heaven his beloved son, Larry Allen Seward. Larry, 62, was the eldest son of Robert Allen Seward and Shirley Adele (Brobst). Larry was the oldest of the Seward sons with Gregory Keith and Robert Ronald close behind. When the boys were growing up, they were an active bunch, living on the water and sharing a love for fishing, boating and all types of water sports. Larry and Greg continued to share common interests as they grew to be avid outdoorsman. Many a Thanksgiving dinner was held up because Greg and Larry were hunting with their dad. As the Seward brothers matured and had families of their own, they were inseparable at holidays. More than a sister-in-law, Greg’s wife, Janet, spoiled Larry at holiday breakfasts with attention to Larry’s diet. The children still believe because of Uncle Larry’s portrayal of Santa. Greg became known as “Little Brother” not only to Larry but to many of their hunting partners. Over the years they shared early morning goose hunting and competed on who made the best breakfasts in the blinds. A lifelong resident of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Larry graduated from Queen Anne’s County High School. While attending QA High School Larry’s passion for competition resulted in his lettering in lacrosse, soccer and baseball all four years of high school. Larry also played the trumpet for the high school band as well as for the Grasonville VFW Post 7464 where he was repeatedly presented with the Meritorious Service Award, for his record of significant contribution and outstanding service. He was nationally recognized as a member of the high school band receiving the Arion Music Award. Larry attended Chesapeake College and then University of Maryland where he lettered in lacrosse. Larry shared a love for the outdoors, respect for wildlife and environmental conservation with his father and grandfather. Larry especially enjoyed deer hunting, fishing, and goose hunting where he rarely missed a day of the season and was renowned for his goose calling skills. He and colleagues worked diligently to re-establish the American Wild Turkey population to the Eastern Shore. Larry and his beloved Shirl were married for 34 years and made their home in Ridgely, MD. Larry faithfully supported Shirl as she completed years of education in pursuit of her Doctoral degree and never complained when he was awakened in the middle of the night when Shirl was on call. Larry became an integral member of Shirl’s family by becoming a brother to Jean, Linda, and Elaine while sharing his love of hunting with Al and his love of movies with Ken. Larry Seward was a competitive clay target shooter of national renown for over 30 years. He first joined the National Skeet Shooting Association in 1986 and over the next 31 years shot over 202,650 registered competitive targets while building a list of accomplishments that was truly remarkable. During his career, he was named to the Maryland State Skeet Team 25 times including 21 consecutive years from 1995-2016. During that span he was named to the MD State First Team, as one of the top 5 shooters in the state, 16 times including the last 13 in a row. Larry was also prominent on the national stage being recognized as a member of the All-American Skeet Team 17 times. This run started with his being named an age group All American in 1999 and culminated with his being named to the First Team Senior All American Team in 2017. His All-American accomplishments were highlighted by being named to the 2013 Open Honorable Mention Team as one of the truly elite shooters in the country that year. Larry was a winner throughout his career and his trophy case includes many Maryland State Championships, National Zone Championships and other prominent Tournament Wins from around the country. Perhaps his most significant individual tournament success was winning the Bronze Medal in the 12 Gauge Open at the 2010 World Championships with a perfect score of 250 out of 250. Larry’s record of accomplishments led to his induction into the Maryland State Skeet Shooting Hall of Fame in 2006 and winning the prestigious Buddy Allison award in 2010 for his continued service to the sport and a life time giving of one’s self to the game he loved. Over the course of Larry’s skeet career he always gave tirelessly back to the game. He was a past President, Vice President and Secretary/Treasurer of the Maryland Skeet Shooting Association. He was also a member of the National Skeet Shooting Association National Board of Directors. He was active in both the Talbot Rod and Gun Club in Easton and the DuPont Fish and Game Association in Millington. Over his 30 year career, generations of competitive shooters from all over the country dined on the unbelievable smoked Oysters Rockefeller or broiled Eastern Shore Style Chicken that Larry prepared at various tournaments every year for hundreds of shooters and guests. It was not at all uncommon for Larry to participate in a tournament as a shooter, shoot well enough to qualify for the finals and have to run onto the shootoff field wearing an apron as he was knee deep in preparing hundreds of chickens for the tournament banquet. Larry won more shootoffs in an apron than most shooters win in an entire career. Larry’s most lasting legacy grew out of his interest in teaching and his ascension to the highest levels of shooting instructors in the country. At the time of his passing, Larry was one of only a handful of certified Master Level Instructors in the world. He spent the last 10 years as the Zone 2 Chief Instructor teaching hundreds of shooters of all levels from beginners to World Champions the finer points of the game. The number of people that Larry touched through his teaching is the true and lasting legacy that he will be remembered by. Larry is welcomed in Heaven by his father, Robert Allen; younger brother, Robert Ronald; paternal grandparents, F. Elizabeth and Roland Miller; and maternal grandparents, Samuel and Verda Brobst. Larry was a big kid at heart; Uncle Buddha to two generations of children in his skeet family. Although Larry had no children of his own he was a supportive mentor and loving uncle to two nephews, Gavin and Stewart and two nieces, Dana and Samantha, and 11 nieces and nephews. Although not particularly religious, Larry’s spirit and love were felt by all who met him for the first time and those who had him in their lives forever. Larry was a loyal and faithful friend and respectful mentor to many. Shirl invites all those who knew and loved Larry to join her and the family to celebrate Larry’s life on October 14, 2017, from 3-6pm, at the DuPont Fish and Game Association, 33430 Walnut Tree Rd, Millington, MD 21651. Dress as you would know Larry would have and bring your shot gun for 2 at Low 8. Shirl has established the Larry Seward Memorial Fund with the goal to perpetuate Larry’s passion for youth camps. Contributions to this project can be forwarded to 24150 Carr Lyn Drive, Ridgely, MD 21660.

Larry Allen Seward

June 28, 1955 - October 1, 2017