Harold I. Lawrence's Obituary
Harold Irving Lawrence (H.I. to some) was called home to be with his Lord and Savior on July 10, 2024 at a care facility in University Place, Washington at the age of 100 years and 8 months. Harold is survived by his children Gene Lawrence (Linda), Lorraine Stargel, Roger Lawrence (DeeDee), and Jerry Lawrence (Monica), brother Everett Lawrence, seven grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. He also leaves behind many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends who loved him dearly.
Harold was born in Tacoma, Washington on November 8, 1923 to Glenn and Laura Lawrence. He was the second of eight eventual children. As a child, the family moved several times so Harold attended a few different grade schools in Tacoma. He attended Gray Junior High School and then Lincoln High School.
Harold’s first job was delivering milk for Superior Dairy. He also worked for Tacoma Tug and then West Coast Grocery before being drafted into the Army in 1943 during World War II.
In the Army, Harold was trained to be a mechanic and a truck driver and was assigned to a Field Artillery Unit, which meant he also had to be trained in the operation and firing of 155 mm and 175 mm howitzers. He advanced in his skills and expertise so he was tasked with training new recruits to be mechanics. Harold was sent overseas and was stationed in several places in the United Kingdom, France, Belgium and Germany. After the war ended, he was returned to the United States and sent to Ft. Lewis, Washington where he was honorably discharged in 1946, having achieved the rank of Tech Sergeant (E-7).
Harold returned to his job in the warehouse at West Coast Grocery and eventually began driving trucks for the company. At West Coast he met a mail clerk named, Donna Edmonds, in the freight elevator. They hit it off and ended up getting married August 31, 1946 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church and celebrated nearly 71 years of wedded bliss.
Harold left West Coast Grocery and was hired by Standard Grocery to be the warehouse foreman and drove grocery delivery trucks when needed. During this time, Harold used the GI Bill to get his private pilot’s license. He and Donna joined the Civil Air Patrol, a volunteer auxiliary of the Air Force, where he flew search and rescue missions and was promoted to the rank of Major.
When Standard Grocery was about to close their Tacoma operation, Harold was contacted by West Coast Grocery and offered a truck driving job. He took it. During his truck driving years, he received a number of ‘Professional Truck Driver Safe Driving Awards’. He retired from West Coast Grocery in 1983.
Harold was an avid deer and elk hunter and enjoyed numerous hunting outings with his hunting partners, which on occasion included his children. Another favorite pastime was airplanes. He could identify every aircraft that flew in and out of McChord Air Force Base (now JBLM), sometimes just by the sound. In his later years he was introduced to the Tacoma Banjo Club by one of his brothers and he looked forward to attending their rehearsals every week and clapping to the beat and singing along with the songs he recognized.
Harold was an active member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church where he volunteered countless hours, singing in the choir, ushering, and serving as Trustee for many years and overseeing numerous construction improvement and landscaping projects. He also kept tabs on the recent elevator replacement project through Pastor Joel and so enjoyed his ride on the elevator upon its completion just this past year, giving ‘his approval’.
Harold and Donna attended many performances at the Tacoma Little Theatre, and enjoyed their Hix ‘n’ Chix square dancing years, where Harold called many of the dances and also served as President of the Rainier Council. He enjoyed bowling and participated on a number of bowling leagues, and was a member of the American Bowling Congress (ABC) Greater Tacoma Association. Harold and Donna also enjoyed their many family gatherings and taking their children on the occasional Sunday drive and numerous tenting camping trips. Then they began enjoying trailer camping, where Harold would come home from work on a Friday evening, after driving truck all day, hook up the trailer, and off the family went. During retirement years, Harold and Donna loved to travel, taking trips to the Holy Land and Europe, cruises to the Caribbean and Alaska, and many vacations to the Hawaiian Islands.
The family wishes to thank those of you who visited with Harold (Dad) these last couple of years (which he thoroughly enjoyed), since he could no longer get out on his own, and for helping him celebrate his 100th birthday. What a blessing!! We are also especially grateful to Pastor Joel Schuldheisz for his compassionate visits, sharing the Gospel message, and singing and praying with him up until his last day.
In lieu of flowers, please designate memorials to the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church “Building Improvement Fund” or to the “Tacoma-Pierce County Chaplaincy”.
All are invited to attend his memorial services to share with the family in remembering and celebrating Harold.
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