Mourning the ‘giant’

Robin MacBlane and Larry Whitler [Photo by Dave Schlenker]

Testimonials have poured in for local radio personality Larry Whitler, hailed as an artist and community advocate on social media, who died as the result of a traffic crash in Ocala on July 17, 2025.

Whitler, 70, a native of Merrick, New York, graduated from Dunnellon High School in 1973. He is survived by his partner, Robin MacBlane. The pair formed the children’s music duo “Robin and the Giant,” which “blossomed into books video and art” and hosted the community based “AM Ocala Live” morning show for about 20 years, before retirement in 2020, according to an online obituary.

Tom Schmitz, Whitler’s co-worker at radio station WOCA in Ocala, said people there are mourning the loss of a “family member” and “legend.”

“As for us at WOCA, the loss of a legend like Larry is not just a tragic loss for WOCA but a tragic loss for the entire community that is Marion County,” he said via text message.

Schmitz said the WOCA family is “encouraged” that MacBlane, who was injured in the same traffic crash according to local reports, is recovering and that “her laughter is still here with us.”

Former city of Ocala police chief Morrey Deen met Whitler and MacBlane in the late 1980’s while working on crime prevention announcements and as a public information officer for the Ocala Police Department. Deen also made public service announcements with the two as OPD chief through the early 2000s.

“Whitler was down to earth and he loved this country,” Deen said, adding that Whitler’s on-air persona of the “giant” was inspired by his height and size.

Deen said Whitler became involved with Ocala Honor Flight and served as a chaperone for World War II veterans on some flights, which for several years transported hundreds of veterans to Washington, D.C., and the World War II Memorial. Deen said Whitler listened to many of the Honor Flight passengers’ stories, like those from combat veterans of Iwo Jima.

Whitler and MacBlane composed and a song and video on YouTube titled “Honor Flight,” which pays tribute to the “courageous” veterans who left their homes and loved ones to serve yet said they were only doing their jobs.

According to the website larrywhitler.com, he was born Feb. 8, 1955, and his family moved to Florida when he was 17. He was a noted local artist and the site contains many examples of his works, which he also shared on social media.

A July 4, 2023, article in the “Marion Citizen” stated that, “Through Larry’s artwork, he’s brought awareness to and raised funds for various entities within his community, including: raising over $28,000 for the Marion County Literacy Council; creating a portrait of Hammet Bowen Jr., the first medal of honor recipient in Marion County, which now hangs in the Hammet Bowen Jr. Elementary School in Ocala; creating two portraits for the Ocala Shrine Club to bring awareness of their work with children; and creating a portrait of the dog Phoenix to raise awareness of the work of the Marion County Humane Society.”  The article indicated all the artwork was provided by Whitler “en gratis.”

Larry Whitler’s Facebook page carried a post signed by his son, Alex.

“We are still waiting for Robin’s doctor to give her the go ahead to be able to attend Dad’s service, so no official date yet. The thought that he’s in a place with everyone and everything he holds dear is comforting. I imagine there’s more paint than he knows what to do with and guitars that never go out of tune,” the post states.

“Again, I can’t thank everyone enough for the kind words and allowing us time to grieve, to laugh, to be together, and to do our best to make Dad proud. We love you, Dad,” the post read in part.

Whitler also is survived by another child, Brie Heald; a grandson, Eli; and brothers Thomas and William Whitler.