Larry Gene Cline

Born in Canton, Ohio, to John and Lily Cline, he graduated from Timken High School. On Saturday nights, he enjoyed bowling at the local alley with friends. His competitive running career began at Walsh College, where he represented the school at the NAIA National Cross Country Championships in 1979.

In 1976, he enlisted in the US Army. He earned his parachute wings at Fort Benning and served with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg. Later stationed at Fort Carson, he began his career as a finance specialist and met his wife. During his 21 years of service, he was stationed in Germany, the Sinai Peninsula with the Multinational Force and Observers and the Republic of Korea. He earned the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, six Army Commendation Medals and seven Good Conduct Medals. He retired in 1999 as a Sergeant First Class.

He settled on Cape Cod and worked for the Falmouth Department of Public Works, Staples and Cumberland Farms. He was a familiar face at the Picnic Box on Sunday mornings before church. A history buff and devoted runner, he raced all over Cape Cod. In 2013, he completed the Boston Marathon, finishing minutes before the bombing on Boylston Street.

He leaves his wife, Holly Cline of Mashpee; son Russell Wilcox of Needham; sister Leigh Oberlin of Massillon, Ohio; and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at 11:30 AM on September 14 at First Church Sandwich, UCC in Sandwich. Burial with military honors will follow at Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne.