Junior Luther Lawrence, Sr. 1932-2012

Junior Luther Lawrence, Sr., of Waynesville, formerly of Crocker, was born on May 29, 1932, at Hawkeye, a son of Luther Ott and Viola Mary (Strutton) Lawrence and departed this life at 5:26 p.m., Thursday, March 15, 2012, in the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital, Columbia. Mr. Lawrence had attained the age of 79 years, 9 months and 16 days.

Mr. Lawrence was united in marriage on May 29, 1956, at Waynesville, to Alice V. Belleville, and to this union, five children were born. He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Junior Luther Lawrence, Jr. on June 13, 2011; one brother, Wayne Lawrence and four sisters, Eva Lawrence, Bonnie Helms, Fern Wade and Dorothy Murphy.

Mr. Lawrence was baptized on August 27, 1988 and a member of the Concord Christian Church, Crocker, a United States Army veteran; member of the Masonic Lodge, Waynesville and was a Shriner. He was a service station owner and operator for over twenty years, retiring in 1980. Mr. Lawrence loved sports of all kinds to included, car races, slot machines and horse races, he enjoyed gardening, working around the house and most of all being with all his family.

Those left to mourn the passing of Mr. Lawrence include: his wife, Alice Lawrence, Waynesville; four daughters and three sons-in-law, Peggy and Leroy Vanderhoof, Waynesville; Patricia Reeves, Lebanon; Crystal and Chip Walck, state of Pennsylvania and Angie and Bill Hooper, Crocker; one daughter-in-law, Sharron Lawrence, Crocker; one brother, Elgie Lawrence, state of Illinois; one sister, Lois Perez, Crocker; fifteen grandchildren; twenty-three great-grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were conducted for Mr. Lawrence at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 20, 2012, in the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Chapel, Crocker, with Bro. Lee Todd, pastor of the Concord Christian Church, Crocker. Three favorite selections, “Eyes of an Angel”, “Free”, “On The Wings Of A Dove”, “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away” and “I Will Follow” were played for the service.

Interment with full military honors was in the Antioch Cemetery, near Crocker, under the direction of the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, Crocker. Pallbearers for Mr. Lawrence were David Dumas, Randy Lewis, Jr., Aaron Smith, Brian Thomas, Billy Hooper, Leroy Vanderhoff and Randy Lewis, Sr.