Lawrence P. Jeffers, accomplished athlete

Lawrence P. Jeffers, 76, of Lewes, passed away Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023, at ChristianaCare in Wilmington surrounded by his family. Larry was born Dec. 28, 1946, in Baltimore, Md., to Lawrence E. and Agnes Jeffers.

 

He was an honors student throughout his schooling and excelled in track. He set a state record in high school in the 440-yard dash. His track prowess led to a scholarship at Boston College, where he continued his athletic success. He set the Boston College record in the 440-yard dash with a 46.4 clocking and broke the school’s 220-yard mark with a 20.8-second performance in 1968. Larry also ran with the record-setting Boston College mile relay team (3:13.1) in the Penn Relays and followed with additional record-breaking performances in the Greater Boston Championships. He qualified for the NCAA Championships in his junior and senior seasons, and was invited to compete in the 1968 United States Olympic Trials. Larry was also inducted into the Boston College Varsity Club Athletic Hall of Fame in 1980.

 

Larry and his family lived in Wilmington for many years; he was recruited from Boston Blue Cross Blue Shield as vice president for sales and marketing to Delaware Blue Cross Blue Shield, and later for Prison Health Services, a provider of healthcare services to correctional institutions.

 

He is survived by his loving wife, Judi (nee Ignacio); sons, Christian (Jennifer) of Wilmington, and Chad of Portland, Ore.; grandsons, Robert “Bobby” and Alex of Bear; sisters, Diane (Richard) Rossiter of Glassboro, N.J., and Karen (Dick Worth) of Fairfield, Conn.; as well as beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends. He is preceded in death by his brother, Robert.

 

Family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of Larry’s life from 1 to 4 p.m., Saturday, May 20, at Cauffiel House and Estate, 1016 Philadelphia Pike, Wilmington. Dress is casual.