Larry L. Metzger

Born on May 18,1933 to Glen and Naomi (Sapp) Metzger, Larry enjoyed 92 years of life and passed away peacefully on December 2, 2025 after a short stay in Hospice of Northwest Ohio Perrysburg.

A lifelong Toledoan, Larry attended Arlington Elementary School and Libbey High School, where he was a 3-sport varsity athlete in football, basketball and baseball.

As a young adult, Larry spent summers as a lifeguard at Scott Pool, where he met the love of his life, Nancy Ohler. Nancy was the soloist in the Aquarama water ballet show, and it was Larry’s job to help her out of the pool following each performance. It was then that love blossomed, and they enjoyed 68 years of marriage.

Larry attended The Ohio State University, where he was a proud member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. He went on to earn his D.D.S. degree at the OSU College of Dentistry.

After the birth of their first daughter, Larry and Nancy moved back to Toledo, where Larry opened a family dental practice. He would serve South Toledo for over 40 years, caring for multiple generations of families. He was appointed President of the Toledo Dental Society and served on the boards of the Ohio Dental Society and Delta Dental, though what mattered most to him were the enduring relationships he formed with his patients.

Larry was passionate about his family, his golf, his paddle tennis, and the Buckeyes…in no particular order. His most memorable golf moments included winning the Heatherdowns Old Pal with Orris Tabner and the Toledo Country Club Old Pal with Pete Handwork. The record books also confirm that, in a dream-like week, he made two holes-in-one on Number 17 at TCC, just days apart and while using the same ball. Following his rounds, Larry often gathered for “Prayer Meetings” with Libbey classmate Herman Perry in the TCC men’s locker room. The ratio of prayer to potation in those meetings is lost to history.

Paddle tennis also provided its share of excitement, from winning the TCC Club Championship with Chuck Oswald, to tournament play throughout the Midwest with long-time friend and partner George Haigh.

As a die-hard Buckeyes fan, Larry loved going to “The Shoe” for football games, always rocked Scarlet and Gray on game day, and never made it through Carmen Ohio with a dry eye.

Music brought Larry much joy, whether it be listening to show tunes, singing Johnny Cash, or cutting the rug with Nancy. He made friends easily, and, in his later years, he became known as the “mayor” of the neighborhood, checking in and sharing updates while cruising around on his 3-wheeled bicycle.

Above all, Larry cherished his family. He expressed his love often and always jumped at the chance to be together—over a cocktail by the pool, on vacation in Hilton Head, in the living room while grandson Reed played piano, or on the golf course or basketball court cheering on grandson Ben.

Larry is survived by his wife Nancy Metzger, daughters Laura Metzger and Lisa (Judd) Silverman, and grandsons Reed Silverman and Ben (Kelli) Silverman.

As a celebration of Larry’s life, take a moment to embrace your family, and consider enjoying a dry martini and good cigar.

In lieu of flowers, should you wish to make a memorial contribution, please consider Hospice of Northwest Ohio, or First Tee-Lake Erie.