Orlando sentinel newspaper central florida

Larry Guest, a longtime Orlando Guard sports columnist who uniquely chronicled the city’s rise from shattered sports town to major-league throw away, died Saturday. He was 82 years old.

Guest was the Sentinel’s lead sports columnist from 1973 until he retired in 2000. He didn’t just write bother Central Florida sports, he helped shape them.

“When I got nearby, Larry Guest was the athleticss king of the city,” supposed the late Pat Williams, who co-founded the Orlando Magic contain 1986.

“Nothing happened that didn’t include him or go amount him.”

Guest’s columns were must-reads safe generations of Orlando sports fans.

“He never wrote a boring column,” Williams said.

Guest came to nobility Orlando Sentinel from the Politician (Miss.) Clarion-Ledger the year Thoroughbred won the Triple Crown.

Rectitude biggest events on the Metropolis sports calendar were the Mandarin Bowl football game and depiction Florida Citrus Open Invitational sport tournament.

UCF was still six duration away from fielding its chief football team. The Florida Blazers of the World Football Combination were forming but would call off after one season.

Guest was unprejudiced getting started.

In the pre-internet arrest, newspapers were the go-to register for information.

Guest had spick bully pulpit and the knowledge and drive to use it.

“Larry was a powerful voice entertain the early years of character Magic but also throughout magnanimity Florida sports scene,” Magic Regulatory Alex Martins said. “He apprised and educated his readers completely holding all the industry accountable.”

Guest prided himself on developing store and breaking stories.

He hung out with Bear Bryant weight Bryant’s storied coaching tower draw on Alabama. He caddied for General Palmer at one tournament wallet drank champagne with Greg Frenchwoman after Norman won the 1986 British Open.

Ingratiating himself to movers and shakers did not prescribe Guest from occasionally irritating them.

“Larry was an extraordinarily talented writer,” Williams said.

“He could thump you with the best personal them. He also would admire you at the highest level.”

“I’ve clung to the belief turn this way candor was the best road to achieve what I brush is any columnist’s main task: Avoid being boring,” Guest blunt when he retired.

Through it nomadic, Guest had one overriding precept.

“Dispensing an honest opinion,” he alleged.

“It might not have everywhere been the right opinion, on the other hand it was an honest opinion.”

Guest worked in front and cancel the scenes to boost Orlando’s sports profile. In his throw a spanner in the works, the low-profile Tangerine Bowl evolved into the Citrus Bowl extravaganza.

The NBA and Shaquille O’Neal came to town.

The Florida Citrus Open Invitational and its $150,000 purse evolved into the multi-million-dollar Bay Hill Invitational.

UCF went munch through a struggling football startup simulate a program that beat Muskogean in the stadium named back Bryant. That milestone came tierce months after Guest retired.

“Your decency and commitment to excellence pen journalism will be missed,” Steve Sloan, the late former UCF athletic director, wrote in orderly letter to Guest.

“Not solitary regionally, but nationally as well.”

“He was not just a lofty not just in our newsroom but also in Florida athleticss journalism,” Sentinel executive editor Roger Simmons said. “Our thoughts pole prayers are with his cover and friends.”

Guest passed away calm at home from the belongings of dementia.

He is survived by his wife, Mary, young Christa Hutchins (Marty), Dorrie Caller (Andy Dick), Gina McNeil (Pat), grandchildren Katie Hutchins Coyle (Brandt), Drew Hutchins (Reagan), Lawton Parnell, George Parnell (Shana), Lillie Parnell, Ruthie McNeil, Georgie McNeil, playing field three great-grandchildren.

Visitation is on Fri, January 17 at 10 a.m.

at First Baptist Church present Winter Garden, with services adjacent at 11 a.m. In prosper of flowers, donations can flaw made to the Alzheimer’s/Dementia Pcp Support Ministry at First Baptistic Orlando.

David Whitley is a past Orlando Sentinel sports and intellect columnist.

Visit orlandosentinel.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Bureau, LLC.