LAWRENCE, Paul E. (1923-2018)

LAWRENCE

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 1/29/2019 at 10:41:30

Paul Everett Lawrence
(January 29, 1923 - February 10, 2018)

Paul Everett Lawrence, 95, died February 10, 2018 at Westview Care Center in Indianola, IA. He was born January 29, 1923, the 6th of 8 children, to Amanda Merle (Lyons) and Ernest M. Lawrence in Peru, Madison County, IA. He attended various country schools in Madison and Warren Counties and graduated in 1940 from New Virginia High School, New Virginia, and IA. On June 12, 1942 he married Helen Louise Bumgarner in Princeton, MO. They raised four children, Gary, Paul “Fred” Fredrick, Karyn and Deanna.
On January 1, 1945 he was drafted into the United States Army, and following basic training was shipped overseas to the South Pacific as part of the one million man buildup to invade Japan. They were told before departure “Get your affairs in order. 80% of you will not come home”, but they went anyway. He served on Saipan and was aboard a ship to Iwo Jima when the war ended in August of 1945. In August of 1946 he was honorably discharged and returned to Iowa.
Over the ensuing 42 years he labored as a tenant farmer, dairyman, school bus driver, construction worker, and retired from the Warren County Road Department in 1988 after 21 years of driving a road grader. He then worked part-time for 3 years in the summer mowing roadsides. He claimed he had seen every mile of every road in Warren County at one time or another at 5 miles per hour. No matter what his work he took great pride in doing it well. No matter what his work he took great pride in doing it well. He will be remembered as a good father, an honest man and trusted neighbor always willing to help someone in need.
He belonged to the United Methodist Church in Medora, American Legion Post #165, Masonic Lodge #53 and Order of Easter Star.
He is survived by his four children, Dr. Gary (Elaine) Lawrence of Ackley, IA, Paul “Fred” Frederick (Linda) Lawrence of Northport, FL, Karyn (Robert) Ford of Indianola, IA, Deanna (Paul) Webb of Warsaw, MO; 12 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; sister, Betty Jean (David) Doughty of New Jersey; sister-in-law, Caryll (Eddie) Wilbur of Indianola; and many nieces, nephews and friends. He is preceded in death by his wife, Helen; his parents, Ernest and Amanda Lawrence; siblings, Manilla Lawrence, Ruby Warden, Gladys (Donald, Sr.) Van Sickle, Earl (Georgia) Lawrence, Carl (Irene) Lawrence and Maxine (Delbert) Ransom.
Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, February 13, 2018 at the United Methodist Church in Medora with burial following in the Liberty Center Cemetery, Liberty Center, IA. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service.
Memorial contributions may be made to the United Methodist Church in Medora, IA. This memorial is provided by Overton Funeral Home, 501 West Ashland Ave., Indianola, Iowa, http://www.overtonfuneral.com/