Edward H. “Bud” Lawrence

  Age 86, of Venice, Florida, died Tuesday, January 12, 2015. Bud was born to Gertrude and Elbert Lawrence on July 13, 1928 in Lansing Township. He graduated from Eastern High School in June 1947, earned bachelor, and two master’s degrees from Michigan State University. He served four years in the U.S. Navy Seabees from 1948 to 1952. He taught Business Education for two years at St. Johns, two years at Sexton, twelve years at Everett, and twelve years at Eastern High School as a Vocational Advisor. Bud loved sports. In addition to teaching, he coached the JV and Varsity baseball teams at St. Johns and Everett. His favorite activity was handball that he played at the Central YMCA in Lansing.

Bud loved fishing and going with his friends on weekend trips to Lake Michigan. Traveling was also an adventure he enjoyed. As a family, they traveled to California in a travel trailer, later owning a motor home driving across the United States and staying in Chula Vista, CA, during the winter months. Trips to Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and yearly trips to Switzerland were also on his agenda. When the traveling days were over, settling in Venice, FL, near the Gulf of Mexico and on the little lake in front of his home was his piece of heaven on earth. While living in Venice, Bud was very active in the golf league, bowling leagues and euchre card group. He participated in the Community Security Program, was a member of the Pilgrim Congregational Church in Lansing, and an active member of the Evangelical Covenant Church in Venice Isle.

Bud was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Mary; and his first wife, Martha. He is survived by his wife, Janet; his son, Tim (Lyn) of Maryville, TN; his daughter, Amy Gollay (Charles), of Lake Ann, MI; and five grandchildren: Kelsey, Collin and Kalby Lawrence and Jennifer and Michele Boyd.

A memorial service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2015, at Evangelical Covenant Church in Venice Isle Estates, Venice, FL, with the Rev. Elizabeth Jensen officiating. There will be no service in Michigan. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Meals-On-Wheels, Tri-County Office on Aging, 5303 S. Cedar Street, Suite 1, Lansing, MI  48911-3800 or to Leader Dogs for the Blind, 1039 S. Rochester Rd., Rochester Hills, MI 48307-3115.

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14 Messages to “Edward H. “Bud” Lawrence

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Bobbie Doe Snow
January 15, 2015 at 6:20 am

So sorry to hear that Mr Lawrence passed away. He was my homeroom teacher at Everett. What a great man! I’ve thought of him often over the years. My sincere condolences to the family.

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Marcia (Montgomery)Claggett
January 15, 2015 at 10:00 am

So saddened to hear this news. Jan just having received your Christmas card, I was looking forward to visiting with Bud in February. To Tim and Amy you know how much your family meant to us and I will always treasure the memories.

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Chuck Stickney, Jr
January 15, 2015 at 10:57 am

All the Stickney family was very sorrowful to learn of Bud’s sudden passing. A dear, life long friend of my parents, Chuck Sr and Geri, Bud was a man that earned respect quickly and was fun to be with. My fondest memories of Bud include fellowship at the YMCA in Lansing and in recent years visiting with Bud and Jan in Venice. Our sincere sympathy to the Lawrence family.

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Linda (Johnson)Schram
January 16, 2015 at 12:20 pm

Our condolences to the Lawrence family. Bud and Jan were wonderful friends to my parents, Don and Jean Johnson. They enjoyed traveling together. Our thoughts and prayers to Jan, who was always so kind to our mother, Jean.

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Brian, Cindy Vollmer
January 16, 2015 at 5:55 pm

Tim and Amy our condolences to you and your families. Our neighborhood as kids was the best hands down. Going to the Y with your dad, baseball camps , playing baseball in the mud room at Everett. I learned a lot from your father and mother and we know they are in a better place. I can imagine all the folks from the old neighborhood that have passed are getting together and having a great laugh. Enjoy your lives, someday we will have a laugh with the old neighborhood.

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Dennis L. Bailey
January 16, 2015 at 6:46 pm

RIP Uncle Bud , you will be missed !!!!!

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Anonymous
January 16, 2015 at 7:51 pm

What a blessing we have had to know and love Bud. He was a real gentleman and fun to be with. We met Bud & Jan living here in Venice. We had a common bond as we were Michigan transplants too. Jan you are in our prayers as is the whole family. Our hearts are saddened. Bud will surely be missed by so many of us. Our flag will always wave for you Bud.

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Sheryl(Vollmer)Black
January 18, 2015 at 9:31 am

Tim and Amy, I was sorry to hear about your Dad. So many great memories of Ellen Ave.. As kids we were blessed to have a great neighborhood where we could walk into anybody’s house at anytime and know we were family. It was always an honor to be your number one babysitter for all those years, although you probably didn’t think so! Your mom always left chocolate chip cookies for me whenever I was coming over and your Dad always paid me a little extra. Your folks were wonderful neighbors and friends and they helped make Ellen Ave special.

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S.M. Campbell
January 18, 2015 at 11:42 am

My Uncle Bud-

He had such a zest for life and an easy going spirit. I appreciate that he was so good to my family, my Grandma and my Aunt. Always included me in (interesting!) conversation and shared his life stories with us. I will remember him best, lounging in a chair on a sunny day at the Lake with a good book by his side. He is missed already.

XXXOOO,
SMC

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Mark Vollmer
January 18, 2015 at 5:59 pm

Tim and Amy, I was saddened by the news of your dad and would like you to know you are both in my thoughts. It’s another great loss to the amazing Ellen Street Era. What an insanely cool place, with such a fun group of people. The whole block was home. I will always remember Bud coming down to have a few beers with Richie, usually on Saturday afternoons. They would sit out in the back by the garage, with Bernie’s chain always wrapping around one of their chairs and one of them always having to get up and readjust because of it. (Martha was very instrumental in convincing my parents to keep Bernie. It shows how close that neighborhood was. Everybody in touch and connected to each other). If not outside, Richie and Bud would sit at the kitchen table. The conversation always started off fairly seriously and then loosened up considerably after a few beers. Hilarious. Great guy! We’ve lost two of the good one’s these last few months. Sandy and I offer our deepest condolences to you both and your families. Hang in there. We miss you!

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Robin Jenkins
January 19, 2015 at 7:26 pm

Tim and Amy: I was very saddened to learn of your dad’s passing. He always made a point of making everyone around him feel special and welcomed. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing him every time I went to Florida to visit my own parents. My accept my heartfelt condolences on your loss.

Jan: I’m so sorry for your loss. You and Uncle Bud had an amazing adventurous life together. The rest of us can only hope to attain the level of love and respect you had for each other. It takes a lot of courage to get old, and Uncle Bud faced each day with a smile, a kind word, and a hug for everyone. He will be missed.

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Mary Bailey writes
January 19, 2015 at 9:13 pm

Dear Jan,
Rich and I not only lost a very good friend, we lost a brother. Bud was very much a part of our family and especially Richard’s since the late 1930s. Much Love to you, too, we are here for you. Love, Rich and Mary

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Mary Bailey writes
January 19, 2015 at 9:15 pm

We not only lost a very dear friend, we also lost a brother. Bud and Richard have been friends since the lat 1930s. He was the best man at our wedding.

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Anonymous
January 22, 2015 at 11:21 pm

Jan, Tim, Amy and families: We are so very sorry for your loss. Our family chain has lost yet another link. I am just saddened we didn’t get to see each other more often. I count it a privilege and a blessing each time we visit. I remember back in the 60’s when we came to Michigan to visit with Aunt Gertie and Uncle Elbert and then took them and Tim and went to Lake Huron for vacation for a week. It was so much fun. We always enjoyed having Aunt Gertie, Uncle Elbert, Bud and Jan come down to Grandma Grace’s to visit and the group would have to sit down to play euchre. It was such a great time! Each of you (and those of our family who have passed on before us) have inspired me to be the best I can be by caring, sharing, loving and giving of myself to others. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. If there is anything we can do, please let us know!

Tom Grubb, son of Glenn & Bobbie Grubb (daughter of Grace Durst, sister to Gertrude Lawrence mother of Bud)

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