Larry Donell Sylvester

With profound sadness and hearts filled with love, we celebrate the life of Larry Donell Sylvester, a devoted husband, beloved family man, treasured friend, respected leader, and faithful servant whose life was a blessing to all who knew him. Larry was born on July 24, 1959, in Camp Walters, Texas, to Mr. Rubin and Mrs. Ludelar Forward Sylvester. As the son of a military family, he spent his early years living in several places before his family eventually settled in Marianna, Florida, where he was raised. Following graduation and a brief time at St. Johns River Junior College, Larry answered the call to serve his country by enlisting in the United States Coast Guard. During four years of honorable service, he advanced to the rank of E-5, completing his tour of duty in New Orleans, Louisiana, while also attending Delgado College. The values he learned through military service—discipline, integrity, humility, and commitment to others-became the foundation upon which he built the rest of his life. On June 24, 1989, he married the love of his life, Janice. Together they shared more than 37 wonderful years of marriage, building a life filled with love, laughter, unwavering faith, and a deep commitment to serving others. Although they were not blessed with children, their home was filled with joy, and together they touched countless lives through their generosity, compassion, and unwavering commitment to family, friends, church, and community. Their relationship was one of partnership, friendship, and unconditional love—a beautiful example to everyone around them. Larry dedicated nearly 38 years of his professional life to the City of Winter Park, beginning his career on August 25, 1982. Through his dedication, hard work, and quiet leadership, he earned the respect of colleagues and the community alike, eventually serving as a Manager until his retirement in 2020. He led with humility, treated everyone with kindness, and believed that true leadership was found in serving others. Although Larry was proud of his career, his greatest joy came from his lifelong commitment to Pop Warner. His journey began in 1986 with Lyman Pop Warner, where he faithfully served for 12 years as an assistant football coach and in numerous leadership roles. He later became a member of the Mid Florida leadership team, serving as Scholastic Coordinator, where, alongside his dear friend Gary Mitrano, he helped develop one of the finest scholarship programs in all of Pop Warner. In 2006, Larry assumed the role of President of Mid Florida Pop Warner, helping guide the league into becoming one of the largest and most respected leagues in National Pop Warner. He also faithfully served as Vice President of Southeast Region Pop Warner, dedicating more than 33 years of service to Mid Florida, Southeast Region, and National Pop Warner. To Larry, Pop Warner was never simply about football or cheerleading. It was about children. It was about giving every young person an opportunity to grow, learn, believe in themselves, and discover what they were capable of becoming. He believed in teaching character before championships, integrity before recognition, and service before self. Whether mentoring a first-year coach, encouraging a young athlete, or helping a volunteer find their confidence, Larry always led with patience, wisdom, and compassion. His extraordinary dedication was recognized through some of the highest honors in Pop Warner. Larry was the proud recipient of the Mid Florida Pioneer Award and was inducted into the Mid Florida Hall of Fame. He also received the Southeast Region Pioneer Award, was inducted into the Southeast Region Hall of Fame, and achieved one of the organization's greatest distinctions as a member of the National Pop Warner Hall of Fame. Yet, those who knew Larry understood that awards never defined him. Recognition was never what he sought. His greatest reward was seeing a child succeed, watching volunteers become leaders, and knowing he had made a lasting difference in the lives of others. His greatest legacy was not the titles he held or the honors he received— it was the people he inspired and the lives he forever changed. Larry's faith was the cornerstone of his life. He was a charter member (#226) of New Covenant Baptist Church of Orlando, where he faithfully served in the Security Ministry, Youth Ministry, and willingly lent his artistic talents to designing church sets and props. Whether serving within his church, supporting his community, or quietly helping someone in need, Larry never sought recognition. He simply believed that serving others was one of life's greatest callings. Larry had a remarkable gift for making people feel valued. He listened with compassion, led with humility, and served with a heart full of grace. He offered wisdom without judgment, encouragement without hesitation, and friendship without condition. Whether you knew him for decades or only a short time, Larry made you feel like family. His legacy cannot be measured by years of service alone. It lives on in every child he encouraged, every coach he mentored, every volunteer he inspired, every leader he guided, every church member he served beside, and every friendship he so carefully nurtured. His influence will continue to be felt on football fields, cheer mats, in meeting rooms, in churches, and within communities for generations to come. Larry leaves behind his beloved wife, Janice, along with family, dear friends, his church family, and an extended Pop Warner family that spans generations. While our hearts mourn his passing, we are forever grateful for the privilege of having known and loved such an extraordinary man. As we celebrate Larry's life, may we honor him by living as he did—with kindness, humility, compassion, integrity, and a servant's heart. May we continue to invest in others, lift people up, and remember that the greatest measure of a life is not what we achieve, but how we make others feel. Larry, thank you for your friendship, your wisdom, your leadership, and your unwavering love for people. Thank you for believing in children, encouraging volunteers, mentoring leaders, strengthening your church, and giving so much of yourself expecting nothing in return. You have left footprints on our hearts that time will never erase. "His Lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant... Enter into the joy of your Lord." - MATTHEW 25:23 Forever loved. Forever remembered. Forever missed. Cherish His Memory Larry's greatest earthly blessing was the love he shared with his devored wife, Janice C. Sylvester. Together they built a beautiful life founded on faith, love, friendship, and service, creating memories that will forever be treasured. He also leaves to cherish his memory his loving brother, David Sylvester of Eatonville, Florida; his beloved sisters, Patricia Fontaine (Marvin) of Buford, Georgia, and Reginia Clark (Anthony) of Orlando, Florida. Larry will be lovingly remembered by his sisters-in-law, Sinda Adams (Ralph) of Loganville, Georgia; Jackie Shirley of Orlando, Florida; Lamanda Howard of Bainbridge, Georgia; and Zellie Bush (Glenda) of Colquitt, Georgia. He is also survived by his cherished aunts: Marjorie Reed McGinnis (Alex), Elouise Tanner (Otto), Sonya Thornton (Lorenzo) of Lithonia, Georgia, Shelia Sylvester of Panama City, Florida, Toni Sylvester Gainer (Kenny) of Panama City, Florida, and Christine Sylvester (Aubrey) of Panama City, Florida. His memory will also be treasured by his uncles: Thomas Forward, St. (Eva Mae) of Marianna, Florida, Isiah Forward, Sr. (Deborah) of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Artis Sylvester of Panama City, Florida, and Rodney Sylvester of Atlanta, Georgia. Larry's legacy continues through a host of loving nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, extended family members, dear friends, his beloved Pop Warner family, and his devoted caregiver, Luckson Jean, whose kindness and compassionate care meant so much to him. PRECIOUS MEMORIES OF THOSE WHO WENT BEFORE HIM Larry was welcomed into Heaven by his beloved parents, Rubin Jr. and Ludelar Forward Sylvester; his grandparents, Charles and Maggie Forward, Rubin Sr. and Janice Sylvester, and Hattie and David Murkins. He was also preceded in death by his uncles, Joseph Forward, John Forward, Monroe Forward, Aubrey Sylvester, and Kenny Gainer; and his beloved cousins. Ronald Forward and Monroe Gregory Forward. Although they have gone before him, we find comfort in knowing there was a joyful reunion as they welcomed Larry home into the loving presence of our Lord.

Tributes

Larry Donell Sylvester

July 24, 1959 - June 29, 2026