Lawrence George “Larry” Gicker
September 1, 1941 - January 22, 2026
Please be aware due to the snow, ice and limited parking at the church,
the visitation and service for Mr. Gicker will now be held at
the Delaware City Fire Company Hall.
Lawrence George “Larry” Gicker, of Bear, DE, passed away on Thursday, January 22, 2026, after a battle with mesothelioma, after 84 years well lived.
Born in Bear, DE on September 1, 1941, he was a son of the late Jacob Allen and Edythe E. (Suppe) Gicker. Larry was a highly skilled millwright and worked for various companies including F&M Scientific, Hewlett Packard, Alloy Surfaces, Stauffer Chemical and DuPont, where he eventually retired.
Larry’s life was one of service to his community and he volunteered countless hours to helping his fellow neighbor. He was a member of the Delaware City Lions Club since 1964 and served as Club President five times. Larry was also chairman of the Delaware Lions Club for 10 years. He was a member of the Delaware City Fire Company for 13 years. Larry served on the Planning Commission for the town of Delaware City and was a councilman from 1974-1978. He joined the Jackson Masonic Lodge # 19 in 1968 and became Master of the Lodge in 1976. He was a member of Ebenezer United Methodist Church in Delaware City for over 60 years. Larry was a Lay Leader and served on many committees at the church including their famous Ham & Oyster Dinners, which he patted many an oyster! Most recently, he attended St. Daniels United Methodist Church in Port Penn.
Larry was a gifted athlete; he was ambidextrous and could bat with either hand. He attended Colorado State University to be a pitcher and play for their baseball team. Over the years, Larry loved to play golf and could shoot his age up until right before he got sick at age 82. He was a member of the DuPont Country Club for 20 years and played in many tournaments and matches. Larry was a member of the Middletown Senior Golf League and thoroughly enjoyed his teammates and playing the game. He was a member of the Delaware City Recreational Club for 40 years and was their number one bowler up until age 82.- “I was always on the team to beat!”
He loved to challenge anyone to a game of corn-hole or ping pong and 9 times out of 10, he usually beat them! Larry was an avid Philadelphia sports fan. He loved watching the Eagles and the Phillies especially, but would pretty much watch any sport on TV.
Larry’s other passion was his beloved garden. He truly had a green thumb and could make anything grow and taste delicious. The lima beans he grew were legendary and friends and family couldn’t wait until his beans were ready to be harvested.
Larry was fondly referred to as a unicorn; he could build, grow, fix, make, care for and nurture almost anything. His skills and wealth of knowledge were readily shared and will be sorely missed. Larry Gicker –dad, poppop, pop, poppa — may your light and life live on forever.
In addition to his parents, Larry was preceded in death by his siblings, Jacob Gicker and Gary Gicker; bonus son, Robert Wessell; and bonus grandson, Billy Wessell. He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Rebecca R. Gicker; daughter, Beth Gicker Stansell (Steve) of North Carolina; son, Dan Gicker (Nadia) of Oregon; 4 grandchildren; siblings, Barbara Schofield and David Gicker; bonus sons, Art Wessell (Colleen), Mitchell Wessell (Tracey), Mark Wessell (Donna) and Clay Wessell (Patti), and their families; 12 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 11 am until 12 pm on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at Delaware City Fire Company Hall, 815 5th Street, Delaware City, DE, where a memorial service will begin at 12 pm, with a reception will follow. Inurnment will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Larry’s memory to Delaware City Lions Club, P.O. Box 338, Delaware City, DE 19706.
Laura B Taylor
Larry was a great guy and I know you all and Aunt Becky will miss him terribly.Sending prayers and hugs to you and your family from me and my family.Love you all Laura Baxter Taylor and family
Flip and Anna
Becky and family – we are so incredibly sorry to hear of Larry’s passing! Such a happy and kind man, always with a smile on his face! Continued thoughts and prayers to you all!
Jason Condit
The little time I got to know him he had an aura about him that you just felt blessed to be in his presence what an awsome person he will greatly be missed the world lost one of the real selfless collest guy I had a chance to meet
Doris Delong
Becky. i am so sorry to read of your loss. Larry will be missed by all. Sending prayers to sustain you and family in this trying time. Twas a pleasure to know him. Also hugs from me to you. Always your old school mate Doris Delong
Ron Kelley
Patty and I are sorry to hear about Larry.
What a wonderful and kind man! He was always a joy to be around. I’ll always treasure the short time I spent with him in his garden where he was truly a master at work.
Heartfelt condolences to Becky and all of Larry’s family.
God bless
Karen Montgomer
Jerry and I will miss all the fishing and breakfasts after church that we shared with Becky and Larry. Will miss his veggies from his garden especially his Lima beans. We are so glad we were able to spend a few hours with him the day before he left his earthly home, he said to me as we were leaving we will go fishing as soon as I get well. Rest in peace my dear friend.
Philip Cruchley
It has been a pleasure knowing you and Becky RIP Larry
Terry Mance
RIP Larry. I always enjoyed playing golf with you in the MMSL. You were a true gentleman and an excellent golfer.
Tim Dove
It breaks my heart hearing that my dear brother in Christ has passed away. I’ve had the privilege of knowing Larry through the Middletown Senior Golf League. I can honestly say I’ve never played with a more honorable gentleman and yet competitive at the same time. Larry was always smiling and enjoyed life. I’ll miss seeing him on Tuesday’s. Thanks be God in I’ll see him again in Heaven.
Haman Family Choir
I am so glad that we had the opportunity to visit him, sing for him and told him how much we missed seeing him at church and that we loved him. He was so kind and friendly every time he came to church.Mr Larry and Mrs Becky are the best. I will miss him sorely. RIP Mr. Larry 🙏🏾
Gene niland
So sorry to hear of Larry’s passing,we worked together for many years at f m and h p. Good guy always happy. Gene
Marlene Haman
Ms Becky and The Gicker Family, sending my deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences. May God continue to bless , give you strength and comfort you all during this difficult time. Mr Larry was such a kind and giving man ( especially sharing his harvest from his garden with ST Daniel’s UMC congregation). I will always remember the great hospitality that I received during my visits.
Keeping the Gicker Family in prayer.
Vanessa Haman
Beth and family my sincere condolences. May his fond memories give you comfort. Mr. Larry Gicker was a kind person.
God bless
Candi
Donald Brooks
Larry was a great member of our golf league, (MSML) ALWAYS jovial. Just a great guy to be around and play golf with, so I knew about his gardening.
We will miss Larry.
Donald Brooks, board of MSML
Paul Carter
Sorry for your loss,,Prayers to your family
Anthony and Linda Suppe
Our sincere condolences to you and your family, sorry for your loss. RIP cus.
Ronald Gibson
My deepest sympathy for your loss and you’re in my prayers! Larry always had a smile on his face and as golfers that’s hard to do when 87% of our shots go the wrong way. Agape love to the family, from Ron Gibson, Amen.
Angela & Noel Williamson
We are sorry for your loss. Praying for you Becky. Larry and you were so welcoming to us and we are grateful. Larry always had a smile and good word.
Robert Gary
Larry and I were friends from the ninth grade on. We were high school sports teammates, and later played baseball at Colorado State College, where Larry was a starter. As adults, we stayed close through golf-my record against Larry remains 0 for 7 decades.
Larry was one of the good guys in this world. RIP I miss you Larry.
Tim & Carin Gannon
I am very sorry to hear of your loss.
Thinking of you, Danny, and all the times we spent together in our youth .
Your father was always good to us, even though he had to put up with a lot of our shenanigans.
Hopefully your pain is short and your memories are long.
Prayers to you and your family.
Jaymes Lester
Becky so sorry for your loss! I will miss having grower meetings with
Larry! He truly had a green thumb!
He used to tell me when I was farming “close to the earth is to be close to the Lord! I like to think that is so true.
Patricia A Lewis
I had the Honor to sit and talk to this Sweet Man at the Wessell 2025 Family Reunion,he was the Sweetest man I had the Pleasure to get to know. Sending my Regards and Love to All of his Family
Paula and Mark
Dear Stansell Family,
Our most heartfelt sympathy in the loss of your beloved father, grandfather..
What a rich, diverse legacy he has!!…his beautiful, bright light will continue to shine through each of you.
Love and hugs..
Mark and Paula