Lawrence C. Varner

Larry, a beloved husband, father and grandfather left us on September 19, 2025.

He was born to Lawrence Charles Varner and (Eleanor) Mildred Weber on October 3, 1942. He graduated from Ursuline High School and from Youngstown University with a degree in Chemical Engineering. At Ursuline, in the band, he met his beautiful future wife Carolyn Bertolini, and they married on August 28, 1965.

After moving to Akron in 1966, Larry spent 6 years with General Tire’s Research and Development department which he then left to pursue a degree in Physics education at The University of Akron. He spent the next, most satisfying, thirty-one years teaching at Wadsworth High School.

Larry was also fortunate enough to be able to use his Chemical Engineering background in the field during the intrepid 1982-1983 Antarctic research season studying “the geochemical composition of the lakes in the Dry Valleys” of west Antarctica.

In retirement he was a volunteer tutor at the Catholic Worker House of Peace in Akron. He enthusiastically followed both his children’s and grandchildren’s lives in school, sports, music, theater, robotics, tennis, cross country and occasional performances with the Ohio Shakespeare Festival.

Larry was an avid reader, gardener and had a great love for the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and the Akron Metro Parks where he spent many evenings walking and appreciating nature.

Larry leaves behind his wife, Carolyn; son Jeremy (Tracy); daughter Rebecca (Paul); grandchildren Elena and Andreas; sister Linda; many nieces and nephews, and the students that gave his life joy.

Calling hours will be held on SATURDAY, October 4th, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. at the Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 N. Miller Rd, Fairlawn, OH, followed by a Celebration of Life at 11:30 AM.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Summit Metro Parks, 975 Treaty Line Road Akron, Ohio 44313 or give.nationalparks.org

Services in care of the Billow Funeral Homes and Crematory, Fairlawn Chapel, 85 N. Miller Rd. Fairlawn, OH 44333.