Larry Johnson, 68 of Richmond, Ohio went to be with the Lord on October 6, 2008 after a valiant fight with cancer. He was born May 12, 1940 in Martin, PA and grew up in Richmond, Ohio. Larry was a loving brother, uncle, and friend. He lived a life that touched so many lives in positive ways, and everyone who knew him loved and respected him. He will be missed by so many, but his memory will live on in the legacy he has left behind. He is preceded in death by his parents Coyle and Goldie Crissinger Johnson and a brother Joe Johnson. He is survived by a sister Patti (Ron) Applegarth of Richmond, OH and two nephews Richard Oxley of Key West, FL and Brent (Ned) Oxley of Richmond, OH. Larry graduated from Jefferson Union High School in Richmond, OH and from Milligan College in Johnson City, Tennessee with degrees in Health and Physical Education/Social Studies. From 1963 to 1985 Larry was a teacher and coach at Patrick Henry (Roanoke), Dinwiddie and Gloucester High Schools in Virginia. At Gloucester he also served as athletic director for ten years. He then joined the staff of the Virginia High School League (VHSL) where he made numerous contributions over an 18year career as an Assistant Director until his retirement in September 2003. Among his most significant accomplishments with the VHSL were the creation of the six division state football playoff format still in use today, implementation of a statewide weight management program to better ensure the safety of high school wrestlers, one of the first and most highly renowned state association sports medicine programs in the country, the first state coaches education program to be certified by the National Council for Accreditation of Coaching Education, a variety of innovative sportsmanship initiatives, and annual VHSL Basketball Officials Camp. Larry was primarily responsible for supervision of nine sports for boys and six sports for girls as well as overseeing officiating programs in seven sports. As such, he was instrumental in major expansion and improvements of playoff opportunities and experiences. At the national level, Larry served for 18 years on the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Football Rules Committee and was a member of the NFHS Sportsmanship and Ethics Committee. He received honors for his achievement from local, state and national professional organizations: the Virginia Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (VIAAA) Award for Outstanding Service; the Distinguished Service Award from the Virginia High School Coaches Association; the Colon E. Baker Service Award for Lifetime Service to Amateur Wrestling in Virginia; and the inaugural "Larry Johnson Sports Medicine Award" established and named in his honor to recognize individuals for contributions to the health and safety of high school athletes in Virginia; NFHS Award for Service and Contribution to the Football Rules Committee; and the NFHS Citation for special contributions to high school activity programs. In October of 2005 Larry was inducted in the Virginia High School Hall of Fame. A memorial service for Larry will be held 10 AM Thursday, October 9, 2008 at Richmond United Presbyterian Church in Richmond, OH with Pastor John Hearn and Pastor John Pouchot of Virginia Officiating. Memorial contributions can be made to the Richmond U.P. Church Youth Group, 310 East Main, Richmond,OH 43944. Arrangements are under the care and supervision of the Everhart-Bove Funeral Home, 110 West Main St., Richmond. View obituary and send condolences online at www.everhart-bovefuneralhomes.com.

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