Larimore graduates with his Wildcat ‘class’mates

By Mike Ford, The Delphos Herald
Published:  Monday, June 1, 2009 (9 months, 3 weeks ago)
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Honorary Wildcat retiring Franklin Elementary Principal Tim Larimore accepts his honor from senior Tina Hill at Friday’s commencement ceremonies.DELPHOS — When the Jefferson High School Class of 2009 considered the choices for its Honorary Wildcat, no debate was needed. Class officers determine the honoree every year and all have fond memories of this year’s choice; their old elementary school principal Tim Larimore.
Students who introduced him during Friday night’s commencement expressed their desire for him to graduate with them, having spent the same number of years in Delphos City Schools: 12.
Larimore was genuinely surprised.
“To the class of 2009, thank-you. This is a total surprise,” he said. “You’re a special group of people. This is something I will cherish for the rest of my life.”
He said he retired Friday and received many cards from students.
“Many of them said ‘once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat’,” he added.
Larimore concluded his brief remarks by expressing how much Jefferson means to him.
“This school and its students will always be close to my heart,” he said
Larimore’s wife, Joyce, is the senior class advisor. She says the students’ memories of their former principal go back to first grade.
“They remember him being big and tall and a little bit scary,” she said. “He was an Ohio State fan, had golf clubs and golf balls on the wallpaper in his office and liked chocolate chip cookies. They remember he let them have Spirit Day every Friday.  He also let the high school players, cheerleaders and band come to Franklin for pep assemblies.”
Larimore also took time to read to the students.
“He stopped in their rooms to see what they were doing. On occasion, he sat down and read to them and he even played kickball with them out on the playground. As time went on, he continued to support them and come to band concerts, Christmas plays and basketball and football games. He became a ‘Delphos Jefferson Wildcat’ and was always a big supporter of ‘his’ kids,” she added.
Larimore began his career at Bath Elementary School in 1974, teaching sixth grade. He did so for eight years before moving up to seventh-grade math, which he taught for another 8 years. He also coached basketball and golf until he left Bath in 1991.
At that point, Larimore moved up again, this time to administration. He moved to Bath’s old-time rival, Elida, where he served as middle school principal for six years. Then, he moved up again, taking the principal’s chair at Franklin in 1997.
It’s no surprise this year’s graduates have the fond memories they do of their old principal. He placed his focus on them from day one.
“When the board hired me 12 years ago, I told them I would make decisions based on what was best for the kids and this has been my philosophy of education,” he said.
It’s not just the former students that bring a sentimental tear to his eye as he moves forward. He is also very fond of his teachers and the community as a whole.
“My 12 years here have been wonderful. The parental and community support here have been wonderful. People here care very much and want the schools to succeed. They have always been right behind us,” he said.
The class of 2009 consists of 70 members who officially departed the district as students with a keynote address from High School Principal John Edinger.

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