Larry Newton Rickner

Larry Newton Rickner, 78, a resident of Lee County, FL since 1960 formerly of Port Clinton, OH, passed away Sunday, December 24, 2023 in Cape Coral, FL. He was born January 9, 1945 in Port Clinton, OH to Norris and Hazel Rickner, now deceased.

Larry was loved and will be missed by so many. He spent his childhood years growing up on Catawba Island in Port Clinton, Ohio before he moved to Fort Myers with his parents in the 60’s. Larry was always very active in community sports such as softball and bowling and he made many friends in Lee County throughout the years.

Larry was the youngest of 15 brothers and sisters, and was proud to be an uncle to a very large number of nieces and nephews. Every summer Larry made it a point to get to his family reunion in Port Clinton to visit with all of them and his siblings, as family meant everything to Larry.

Larry was the father to 4 children and the grandpa to 5 grandchildren. Throughout his life Larry strived to maintain his own special relationship with each of them. His proudest moment's and memories where the times that he was able to have all of them together especially on trips or vacations.

Larry will be remembered as always being very active and really living life. He loved to travel, go boating and to take on new adventures. He modeled for us the importance of spontaneity, and to really enjoy the days you have here on earth.

For many years Larry was known for his famous cookouts, where you could find him at the horseshoe pits, razzing his opponents and making sure that everyone around him was always having a great time. His laughter was always so contagious and his generosity was inspiring.

Larry spent the better part of his retirement years “partially retired” but still working as the manager at Eastside Rentals in North Fort Myers. With his little brown dog always at his side, he enjoyed engaging with the customers and staying busy with purpose. He believed in the importance and value of hard work and staying active. In his final years he lived out his dream of owning his little “Rickner Resort” up in Punta Gorda, where he could keep his boat in the water and take his friends and family for a ride whenever they visited.

He is survived by his loving children, Todd Rickner (Nikki) of North Fort Myers, Laurie Sowders (Shawn) of Naples, FL, and Jaime Radkins (Johnny) of Cape Coral, FL; sisters, Janice Meggitt of Marblehead, OH, and Sharon Cover of North Fort Myers; as well as grandchildren, Emily Rickner, Blaine Rickner, Cyle Rickner, Kearstin Radkins, and Autumn Rickner.

Larry was preceded in death by son, Casey Paul Rickner, his parents and 12 siblings.

Memorial Services will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, January 6, 2024 at Mullins Memorial, 3654 Palm Beach Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33916.

Memorial Contributions in memory of Larry Newton Rickner are suggested to HOPE HOSPICE. They were all angels to Larry and his family in his final days of life.

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.