Larry graduated from Lincoln East High School in 1972. Larry attended Nebraska Wesleyan University, graduating in 1976 with a BS in Philosophy. He was a member of the Upsilon Chapter of Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity, as well as Blue Key. It was during his freshman year at Nebraska Wesleyan that he met the love of his life, Betty Sawyer, while singing in the university choir. The two married on June 18, 1976 at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Lincoln and, together, the two had three sons – Ryan, Matthew, and Logan – who were the pride and joy of Larry’s life. In 1979, Larry graduated from the University of Nebraska College of Law. His legal career included many years in private practice before retiring from the Nebraska Department of Banking & Finance.
Above all else, Larry was an avid family man. He was involved in his sons’ interests, including sports, scouts, and the outdoors. The Ohs family enjoyed many trips together including weekend campouts, weeks at scout camp, a canoe trek through the Boundary Waters, sailing in the Florida Keys, and traveling all over the country. He was extremely proud to have all three sons earn the rank of Eagle Scout. He also loved birds and enjoyed filling his backyard bird feeders.
Community service was also a passion for Larry, who primarily dedicated his time to Boy Scouts of America. He served as a scout leader for Pack 15 and Troops 12 and 93. He also was a staff member at the 2005 National Scout Jamboree, attended High Adventure Bases, volunteered with Cornhusker Council, and was a leadership trainer throughout the Midwest. His accomplishments included a National Certificate of Merit, District Award of Merit, and the Vigil Honor for the Order of the Arrow.
Larry served as the president of the Lincoln Jaycees, taught real estate law at SCC, and was a member of the local Selective Service System Board. He received a letter of recognition in state and federal emergency management and served as a storm spotter and emergency services broadcaster for the Lincoln Amateur Radio Club, in which he actively participated under the call sign KCØLXQ. His first storm spotting assignment was near the town of Hallam on the night of the May 2004 Hallam tornado. Larry’s crucial emergency communications role during the storm and its aftermath was highlighted in a Weather Channel documentary that aired during “Tornado Week” for several years.
Larry passed away on December 25, 2021 after a lengthy illness. He is proceeded in death by his father, Dwight Ohs. He leaves behind his wife of 45 years, Betty; his children Ryan, Matthew (Annie), and Logan (Anjli) Ohs; his mother Sara Lee Ohs; his siblings Bradley (Sandy) Ohs, Carmen (Bob) Shively, and Cortney Ohs, and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, December 30, 2021 at 10:30am at South Gate United Methodist Church, 3500 Pioneers Blvd., Lincoln. The family will receive guests beginning at 9:30. The service will be livestreamed. For those who would like to attend in person, the family requests masks be worn. There will be a private inurnment to follow at Rosewood Cemetery in Palmyra, Nebraska.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests those who wish to memorialize Larry consider making a gift in his name to Cornhusker Council BSA, South Gate United Methodist Church, or Nebraska Wesleyan University.