Donald Lawrence Seckel

Donald Lawrence (Larry) Seckel, 75, of Leland, NC passed away on February 21, 2024 in Wilmington, NC after a lengthy battle with cancer. Born on October 12, 1948 in MD, he was the son of the late John Victor Seckel and Mary Agnes Horak.

He is survived by his loving wife, Donna Hoyle Seckel, his brothers, John Victor Seckel Jr, of Leland, NC and Karl Wesley Seckel, of Costa Mesa, CA, his Aunt Elizabeth Horak Williams of Novato, CA their wives, nephews, nieces and cousins.

A native of Silver Spring, MD, Larry grew up in the Boetler Road, White Oak, MD area.  He was a graduate of Colesville Elementary School, White Oak Middle School, Springbrook High School and the University of Maryland, graduating with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

A highlight of his young life was taking his first plane trip from Washington DC to Panama along with his older brother John in 1958 (10 years old) to spend the summer with his Aunt and his Uncle who worked on the Panama Canal.  This included spending weekends on a 37 ft sailboat traveling to Islands in the Bay of Panama and diving in crystal clear water.  

Larry was very active in various sports during his life, beginning with Colesville little league baseball when he was 8 years old.  He played both basketball and baseball throughout High School plus was an avid golfer starting in grade school and playing with his family and friends later in life.  Larry was elected to the National Honor Society in his Senior year at Springbrook High School on May 10th, 1966.

Larry played on many competitive slow pitch softball teams, including Eagle Iron Works, South Eastern Printing & Orleans House and Dish Thompsons Teams.  He was honored by being inducted into the Washington Metropolitan Slow Pitch Softball Fall of Fame in 1993.

Larry began his career in 1966 with GSA (U.S. General Services Administration) in Washington DC working for 38 years.  He handled the renovation of many Federal Government locations throughout his career including The Blair House (The President’s Guest House) and the Vice President’s residence at the U.S. Naval Observatory.

Larry worked for the Defense Mapping Agency, which today is known as the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA).  Larry was a Senior Manager for the Agency and served as the site Manager for one of the 4 largest NGA production centers.  He was an accomplished engineer and leader, highly respected by his employees, peers, and NGA Executives.  Most importantly, he was well liked by all who were fortunate enough to know him and to work with him.

After retirement in 2004, Larry and Donna moved to Leland NC.  Larry remained very active in Golf playing courses with family and friends in Myrtle Beach, Wilmington and his home course, Magnolia Greens.  Larry had 3 holes in one in his golf career.  In addition, Larry was a member of Turn Two Senior Softball which included several Championship Teams and he was an All American on 6 of them, with 1 MVP and was viewed as the ideal teammate by his peers.

There will be a memorial service for friends and family on Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Andrews Mortuary in the Market Street Chapel,1617 Market Street, Wilmington, NC 28401 to reflect and honor Larry’s life.

A Celebration of Life will held 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at Magnolia Greens Blossom’s Clubhouse. 

In his honor, Memorial contributions may be made to your favorite Animal Welfare Organization.

Condolences may be shared with the family here in the guestbook.