C. LARRY TYLER, SR., 73, of Crisfield, died Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury.

Born on Ewell, Smith Island on July 17, 1937, he was a son of the late Norman Tawes Tyler and Lillian Middleton Tyler.

Along with his wife, he was the owner of Barb's Crisfield Flower Shop for the past 10 years. Prior, he was a Crisfield Police Officer from 1962-1967, was a retired route salesman for the former Sweetheart Baking Company where he worked 27 years, and was a retired correctional officer at Eastern Correctional Institution where he worked eight years.

Larry was a member of Ewell United Methodist Church in his younger years, and later transferred his membership to Asbury United Methodist Church in Crisfield.

Very active in his community, Larry was a Charter/Founding member of the Ewell Volunteer Fire Department on Smith Island, 49-year member and two-time past-president of the Crisfield Volunteer Fire Department of which he joined October 16, 1961, two-time past-president and four-time past-secretary of the Somerset County Firemen's Association, 16-year member of the Somerset County Sanitary District where he served as chairman for 13 years, served on the Crisfield Board of Zoning and Appeals where he was the current chairman, member of the Crisfield Area Chamber of Commerce where he served as co-chairman of the J. Millard Tawes Crab and Clam Bake event as well as chairman of the crab tent since the Clam Bake was established, served on the Crisfield City Council from 1986-1990, and was a 49-year member of the Crisfield Elks Lodge #1044.

Larry enjoyed a good deal, building model skipjacks, talking on VHF and CB Radios, and spending time with his friends at Gordon's. Most of all, Larry loved his family, and he loved to eat! He looked forward to family gatherings at his daughter Fern's house where a lavish buffet would be served.

He is survived by his wife, Barb Wroten Tyler of Crisfield; six children, Fern Griffith (Clifton Taylor) of Marion, Betty Brown (Glenn) of Salisbury, Kim East (Tommy) of Crisfield, Curtis Larry "Scoots" Tyler, Jr. of Crisfield, Billy Wroten (Marjorie) of Crisfield and Brian Wroten (Kim) of Fallston, MD; 13 grandchildren, Karyn Church (Andrew), Ryan Griffith (Lisa), Scott Griffith, Tyler Truitt, Jordan Brown, Lily East, Nate East, Chase Tyler, Dalton Tyler, Ashley Wroten, Billy Wroten, Jr., Owen Wroten and Aaron James; seven great-grandchildren, Madison Marsh, Allyson Church, Aydon Truitt, Austin Brown, Rachel Cullen, Jacob Cullen and Makenzie Griffith; two brothers, N. Allen Tyler (Darlene) of Crisfield and Charles D. Tyler (Becky) of Salisbury; a special family friend, Bonnie Ward, of Crisfield, who was like a daughter to him; several nieces and nephews; numerous cousins; a host of friends; and two pet dogs, Sandy and Peanut.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Mildred A. Tyler, and his sister-in-law, Fern G. Tyler, who both died in a tragic automobile accident on July 17, 1987; and his brother, Julian C. Tyler, who died in 2001.

A firemen's funeral officiated by Pastor Steve Willing, Pastor John Kalfayan and members of the Crisfield Fire Department, will be held Saturday, March 12, 2011 at 2 PM at Bradshaw & Sons Funeral Home in Crisfield where friends may call Friday evening from 6-8PM and one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in Sunnyridge Memorial Park in Crisfield.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to Crisfield Fire Department, P.0. Box 591, Crisfield, MD 21817.

To send condolences to the family, please visit www.bradshawandsonsfuneralhome.com