Larry Joe Metzger, 70, of Rochester, was surrounded by his loving family when he passed away at 6:55 PM, Saturday, April 27th, at Woodlawn Hospital. Born in Lafayette, on September 4, 1942, Larry Joe was the treasured son of Paul and Dorothy Mitchell Metzger. Growing up he shared his childhood with a brother Ronald. In 1960 with great Hornet pride, he graduated from Rossville High School. After a three month courtship, on December 1, 1963, in Muncie, Larry married the love of his life Patricia "Pat" Johns. As "Best Friends," together they shared 49 years of life's adventures. Their union produced two wonderful children, Annie and Mark. Over the years the family tree grew to include four grandchildren. Larry and Pat moved to Newcastle township when he worked for Marsh Supermarkets as store manager for nearly 25 years. He later accepted an appointment with Talma Fastner as quality control manager retiring in 2005. A dedicated life long learner, at age 50 Larry took classes and earned associates degrees in computer science and business management from Indiana University and Ivy Tech. An avid sports fan, Larry loved Notre Dame football and I.U. basketball. He enjoyed a variety of styles of auto racing and holds many memories of meeting some of the finest in their early years, chatting trackside with racers Tony Stewart and Jeff Gordon. His favorite sprint car tracks are Gas City and Eldora, Ohio. A.J. Foyt topped his list of favorite Indy style 500 drivers. The family enjoyed vacationing in Charlotte at Lowe's Motor Speedway, enjoying a huge racing weekend. An American Sportsman, Larry was a savvy angler, seen with his trusty tackle box and casting rod near the shores of the Tippecanoe River or traveling to the pristine lake of 7th Crow in Minnesota. Shooting skeet and trap shooting, Larry was a supreme marksman. He also was an avid deer hunter, bagging some awesome trophies over the years. Their home away from home was the cozy Fish-N-Fun Campgrounds northwest of Rochester, nestled on the banks of the Tippecanoe. It was here for decades that family and friends gathered around the campfire, telling stories under the starlit summer skies. They enjoyed float trips on the river and relaxing while walking the nature trails. Pat and Larry's home embraced the banks of the Tippecanoe. It was here that they enjoyed watching the changes of the seasons, wildlife and the every changing river. In the recent years Larry built custom wood duck homes. Friday he and Pat witnessed seven fluffy baby wood ducks hopping from their home to begin their lives. Memories they'll always treasure. Larry took great pleasure in feeding the birds. He nearly domesticated two Canada geese known as Gertrude and Eclipse. Each spring they returned and made special visits to the Metzger home when Larry shook the corn can, the feather friends knowing it was time to eat. Larry will be lovingly remembered by his wife Pat; a daughter Annetta "Annie" Tigler and husband Sam of Peru, and their children Sidney, Nathan, and Emily Tigler; a son Mark Metzger and wife Jennifer of Rochester; and his feline companion Spookie, a black domestic short hair. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Ronald Metzger, and a grandson Parker Joseph Metzger. Chaplain Jason See will officiate services. Interment will be in the Rochester IOOF Cemetery.