Larry James Shertz

Larry was born on February 28, 1947, to James and Ruth Shertz in Springfield, Missouri, where he grew up and went on to graduate from Parkview High School of which he was a proud member of the State Championship basketball team the Jolly Green Giants. He and his team were recently inducted into the Missouri Hall of Fame.

He was awarded a basketball scholarship to Drury College in Springfield, MO, became a member of Lambda Chi Alpha, and earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Economics in 1969.

Shortly after several career moves he became Director of Admissions at Mercer University in Macon, GA, transitioned into the pharmaceutical industry, and quickly worked his way to becoming a distinguished District Sales Manager for what is now GlaxoSmithKline. After 20 successful years with GSK he was able to retire in his early 50s.

An avid golfer, Larry was proud of his five holes-in-one. He served as the Tournament Chairman for the Play Golf-Fight Cancer Golf tournament for 10 years that raised over 1 million dollars for the research programs at the UF Proton Therapy Institute. Attending the Master’s Golf Tournament in Augusta, GA, and playing many of the great courses in Florida and other states were some of his greatest joys. An extroverted enthusiast who took great pleasure in meeting and conversing with people, he made friends wherever he went in life.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents James and Ruth Shertz and his sister Angela Bjorgo; he is survived by his son Zachary Shertz, who resides in South Dakota, cousin Dixie Spragg in Missouri, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews in both Kansas and Missouri.

A Celebration of Life service in memory of Larry will be held at Baldwin-Fairchild in Sanford, FL, on Monday, December 20; the service begins at 10 A.M. followed by a reception.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations for the University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute can be made out to UF Health Proton Therapy Institute and mailed to 2015 North Jefferson Street, Jacksonville FL 32206. Please note in the memo area on the check that gift is in memory of Larry Shertz or UF Health Proton Therapy Institute Research Fund 014145.

Giving link is: https://www.uff.ufl.edu/giving-opportunities/014145-proton-research-fund/