1924 – 2024
Commander Lawrence Earnest Scheer USN (Retired after 25 years) was born on February 8th, 1924, on a farm near Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and went to be with his Lord on February 20th, 2024. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Geraldine Scheer, his wife of 64 years, Helen Erlene Hoppes Scheer, his wife of 13 years, Inez Scheer, two daughters, Marsha Lynn Scheer and Carolyn Ruth Scheer, as well as his son, Steven Lawrence Scheer. He is survived by his children Lucinda Erlene Glenn and Mark Earnest Scheer. He is also survived by his grandchildren Jacquelyn Flood, Samantha Glenn, Mindy Glenn, Tiffany Hartfield, Andrew Glenn, and Aaron Glenn as well as his great-grandchildren, Cian Flood, Ethan Solis, Ryan Solis, Sofia Solis, Andrea Luna and Carlos Luna.
Larry graduated from Humboldt High School in Humboldt, Kansas in 1942, and attended Kansas State Teachers College, where he met his lovely wife. He completed a Bachelor’s in Aeronautical Engineering at the University of Michigan in 1945 and lettered in Track and Field. He became an Ensign in the Navy after completing Midshipman School at the University of Notre Dame. He Graduated from the Navy General Line School at the War College in Newport, Rhode Island, and Flight Training at Pensacola, Florida. He received a Master of Science Degree in Engineering at Arizona State University in 1968. In 1989, Larry graduated as a Certified Deacon in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.
During his time in the US Navy, from 1942 until 1968, he served on the Aircraft Carriers USS Badoing Strait (CVS), the USS Thetis Bay (CVHS), and the USS Yorktown (CVS). In the Navy he flew the SNJ, SNB, P2V, and PB4Y in Flight training in Pensacola Florida. He flew the P2V in Okinawa chasing Russian Subs during the Korean Conflict. Again searching for Russian subs, he flew H-19, H-34, and H-3 Helicopters during the Vietnam Conflict. At the Missile Test Center, Point Mugu, California and the Cold Lake Royal Canadian Air Force Base he flew the F-3H, F-4H, F3D, and F-8F testing missile.
For two years in Ferry Squadron 2, in San Diego, California, he flew virtually every type of airplane and helicopter. Finally, with the 27th Air Division of the Air Defense Command at Luke Air Force Base, Glendale Arizona he flew the U-3 and T-29.
Upon retiring from the Navy, Larry was employed as an Engineer with Air Research (Honeywell) in Phoenix, Arizona. Larry was a board member of the Society of Automotive Engineers. In 1982, Larry was invited into Who’s Who International in Engineering. As Commander of a Civil Air Patrol Squadron, he continued flying until he was 80 years old.
Larry’s whole life was driven and guided by the Holy Spirit. He loved leading Boy Scouts, camping with his family, and a good round of golf after work. He assisted in starting many churches and was the prime mover in starting Valley Lutheran High School. As Board Chairman of the Handicapped Village of Arizona, he built 7 homes for the Developmentally Disabled and he served on several Boards of Directors for the Mentally Handicapped. One of his most stimulating experiences was 14 years of counseling and conducting church services and Bible Studies in Arizona Prisons and Jails where he baptized many inmates, bringing them to know Christ for the first time in their lives. His greatest joy was sharing his faith with others.
Larry was dearly loved by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Memories of his work ethic, his story-telling, his determination, and his unwavering love will live on in their hearts. Larry was determined to make it to his 100th birthday, and he did! He spent it celebrating at Sunrise Senior Living of Chandler with the kind employees and many friends and family he loved, remembering many years of faith, friendship, and family.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Lura Turner Homes Inc. (https://www.luraturnerhomes.org/) for people with mental disabilities (P.O. Box #81285, Phx, AZ 85069).