Larry E. "Luke" Izer

Age 86, of East Sparta, passed away Sat., August 17, 2024.  He was born March 21, 1938 in Bellville, OH, a son of the late Oren and Miriam (Snyder) Izer, and had been an East Sparta resident over 40 years.  He was a 1956 graduate of Bellville High School.  While in high school, Luke was a two-year letterman in football, Senior year All-League and League Champions in 1955 with a record of 8-1; four-year letterman in track, and his senior year won second place in the County Meet shot put; in baseball he was a four-year letterman, won the batting title in 1955 and 1956, and had a tryout with the Cleveland Indians and Detroit Tigers, and also played basketball.  Luke was a graduate of Baldwin Wallace College, where he was a four-year letterman under Coach Lee Tressel, and also was a babysitter for his son Jim Tressel, played offensive and defensive tackle, was All-Ohio his junior and senior years, and was selected as the Outstanding Lineman his senior year, also selected to play in the East-West all Star Game with Ara Parseghian as coach.  Nine opposing colleges selected Luke to be on their all-opponent teams.  In baseball he was a four-year letterman, playing catcher, outfield and first base.  His four-year batting average was .330, and he led the nation in hitting in 1960 with a .495 average, and named MVP his senior year.  He later played in the Canton Class A League 18 years for the Seran Agency, winning the batting title with a .398 average

Luke's teaching and coaching experience was 32 years and volunteering four years, including Bellville High School, Baldwin Wallace College, Tusky Valley High School, Reedsville Eastern High School in Meigs County, and mostly Sandy Valley High School.  At Sandy Valley he was varsity assistant 27 years and Defensive Co-Ordinator 15 years.  As varsity Head Baseball Coach 29 years, he had a record of 347 wins and 157 loses, 21 winning seasons, four District Runners-Up, nine Sectional Championships, five League Championships, six times voted Coach of The Year, seven players voted Ohio All-Stars, and one player, Randy Bockus, played in the Major Leagues with the San Francisco Giants.  Luke was honored by induction into the Ohio Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame, and had been selected to coach the Ohio Baseball All Star Team in 1974.

Luke umpired high school baseball 18 years and college baseball 10 years.  He was selected to work State Tournaments nine years in a row, and also selected to work home plate for the Cleveland Indians on Opening Day during the umpire strike.

Besides the Ohio Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame, Luke's Halls of Fame Inductions included: the Baldwin Wallace College Athletic Hall of Fame, North Eastern Ohio Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame, Canton Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame, the Tuscarawas County Baseball Old-Timers Hall of Fame, and the Clear Fork Valley (Bellville) Athletic Hall of Fame in 2014.

Besides his parents, Luke was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Katherine M. Izer on April 27, 2020, a daughter, Melissa Izer, in 1980, two brothers and one sister.  He is survived by his daughter, Kim Izer, and a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Dene and Richard Alden.

A combined Celebration of Life for Luke and his wife, Katherine, will be held Sat., August 24, 2024, at 11 a.m., in the Finefrock-Gordon Funeral Home in Magnolia, with Luke's long-time friend, Jack Scott and Katherine's sister Dene Alden, as Celebrants.  When Katherine died it was during Covid and a service could not be held.  Friends may call Friday, 5-7 p.m.  Interment for both will be in Ragersville Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, contributions in Luke and Katherine's memory may be made to the Tri-Division Ambulance District, P.O. Box 352, East Sparta, OH 44656.  Condolences may be sent to: www.gordonfuneralhomes.com

Gordon (330) 866-9425