Lawrence Kehler Jr.

Lawrence Kehler Jr., known to most as Larry, some as Dad, Pop-Pop, or Uncle Larry, and to many people from Pottstown with pagers in the '90s as the guy with long hair who used to work at Audio Video Junction, left this world on the evening of Thursday, December 19, 2024, at Lehigh Valley Hospital - Cedar Crest while trying to recover from heart surgery. Larry was born on Christmas Day, December 25, 1955, and he died at the age of 68, just six days before his 69th birthday.

Larry was a unique individual with a great sense of humor, quick wit, and a desire to make everyone he encountered smile or laugh. He loved music, gardening, decorating for the holidays, and eating candy while watching old TV shows or superhero movies. He vacationed at Knoebels at least once a year and especially enjoyed winning prizes from the arcades, crane machines, and the Frogger stand. He was an artist with his woodworking, from small crafts to large projects, his custom vehicles, the many models he put together and painted, and so many other things throughout his life. He paid attention to the fine details and finishing touches and added his personal flair whenever he could.

Before and after working at AVJ, Larry made his living as a carpenter. He had been enjoying working with his buddies at US Restaurants and took pride in his work. Larry was a master craftsman who worked off the clock throughout his life. He turned a run-down house into a beautiful home for his family, tore down an old barn and built a house for his parents, and completed many other renovations and projects. Of course, he had help for many of the projects, most often from his buddy Den, who worked by his side back in the day and recently helped build a back deck on Larry’s new house. Larry was also happy to have Logan, one of his grandsons, there to help build the deck and to help him turn the carport into an enclosed shed—not just to have the young muscle, but to spend time with him and teach a few things about what he loved to someone he loved. Larry’s family and friends will miss having him around for advice on how to fix and build things, as well as for his help with the projects better left to an expert. However, some are grateful that he left them knowing their way around a toolbox and with the confidence to tackle many home improvement projects on their own.

Larry was also passionate about automobiles. He was part of the custom van craze in the '70s and '80s and showed off his purple van as one of the first members of the van club Good Time Vanners. Years later, Larry restored a Volkswagen Bug and gave it the Wunderbug look with a hood like an old Ford. It too was painted Plum Crazy Purple. His last four-wheeled love was Clyde, a ’33 Chevy that he was proud to show off at car shows as a member of the Pottstown Classics Car Club.

Larry was quite the charmer. Some may say he loved women a little too much, as he was married three times. However, he was grateful for all of them. His first wife, Sue, gave him three children: Justine, Jessica, and Jerimy. He had two more children, Crystal Star and Atom Orion, with Sheri, who became his second wife. He married his third wife, Sue, after his children were grown. She was the love of his life, but Sue passed away too soon. He then grew close to Cheryl, who also passed away. Eventually, Larry got together with Diane, with whom he shared both his home and his heart.

When Larry took his final carpentry job to rebuild the pearly gates, he had to leave behind Diane, his four remaining children, the many grandchildren who had already started giving him great-grandchildren, and numerous other family members. He will also be dearly missed by many friends, especially Barry, his best friend since childhood, who will keep the spirit of The Park Boys alive.

Larry is now reunited in death with his three parents: Lawrence Sr., Eva, and Marvin; his son Jerimy; his grandson Dustin; his loving wife Sue; his “little girl” Sophie Grace (his dog); and his feline buddy Max, as well as other friends who passed before him, among them his dear friend Dave.

A viewing will be held on Monday, December 30, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Houck & Gofus Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 955 N. Charlotte St., Pottstown, PA 19464. A funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. Interment will take place after the service at Highland Memorial Park, 701 Farmington Ave., Pottstown, PA 19464. Doors are open to anyone who wishes to say their final goodbyes to Larry—and to those who just want to check out his custom coffin. Yes, he had it airbrushed and installed LED lights. He had to go out in style.

A webcast of Larry’s services will be available starting at 11 a.m. Please visit https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTczNDk5MjEwMjM0MjQ2MyZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw== to view the webcast. If you have any questions, feel free to call (610) 323-8220.