Martin F. LaRue

Martin F. LaRue, 65, died at home of leukemia Saturday morning, July 8. After his illness was diagnosed last November, he volunteered to undergo promising experimental treatments at the James Cancer Center in Columbus.
Mr. LaRue was active in the scouting movement since he was a teenager and was troop master of Boy Scout Troop 44, sponsored by the Poland Presbyterian Church of which he was a member. His proudest achievement, he said, was becoming an Eagle Scout.
Mr. LaRue was born July 14, 1951, in Youngstown, a son of Bernard D. and Helen L. LaRue, and lived in Poland his entire life.
Mr. LaRue graduated in 1969 from Poland Seminary High School and briefly studied at Youngstown State University.
He became a salesman of small engines and was a top performer at the companies where he worked. At his last employer, Gardner Inc. in Columbus, he was either first or second in sales every year and was awarded a trip to Oregon where he met Gen. Chuck Yeager, the first man to break the sound barrier. There heard him speak and received an autographed copy of his autobiography.
In scouting, Mr. LaRue was the longtime assistant scoutmaster of Troop 44 when Bob Zedaker was scoutmaster and succeeded him upon Mr. Zedaker’s death. He helped many scouts earn their merit badges and was often at Camp Stambaugh in Canfield. There he led or helped Mr. Zedaker lead Boy Scouts in learning how to survive the coldest days of winter. Mr. LaRue was known for wearing shorts at the annual Klondike Derby in January, and hottest days of summer. Messrs. LaRue and Zedaker taught the scouts how to live outdoors, enjoy nature and all that the scouting movement entails to build character.
Mr. LaRue was a member of the Poland Presbyterian Church and active in its ministries, including serving on the church session. He was also a longtime member of Northeastern Ohio Forestry Association.
Mr. LaRue leaves his companion, Carol Carr of Poland; a sister, Constance of Cincinnati; a brother, Dennis (Andrea) of Poland; and another brother, William (Carla), of Florida.
Services will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, at the Poland Presbyterian Church.
Friends and family may call from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday at the Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home, Poland Chapel and Wednesday from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at the church.
The family asks that material tributes be made to Boy Scout Troop 44, c/o Poland Presbyterian Church, 2 Poland Manor, Poland, OH 44514.
Visit www.beckerobits.com to send condolences.