Vance C. Lawrence

Grants Pass, Oregon- Vance Clifton Lawrence, 94, passed away Tuesday, August 28, 2012 at his home.

He was born December 9, 1917, in Chatham Hill, Virginia, the son of Kyle M. and Dora Sybil Atwell Lawrence.

He lived his early years in Virginia. He joined the Army Air Corps in 1942. He served at Gowen Field in Boise, Idaho.

He married Florence B. Armstrong on May 31, 1945 in Marion, Virginia. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Logan L.D.S. Temple, Logan, Utah on July 3, 1948.

He worked at Spaulding Lumber Mill, and Grants Pass Ready Mix. He also worked for the Josephine County School District and the L.D.S. Church as a custodian.

He was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings.

He greatly enjoyed gardening and grew wonderful fruits and vegetables. Florence and Vance harvested their gardens every year and shared their garden with many family and friends. He liked hunting with his brother-in-law, DeLoy Armstrong. He enjoyed the family reunions with always a good story or joke to tell.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Florence Lawrence, Grants Pass, Oregon; 1 daughter, Margaret "Peggy" (Larry) Best, Grants Pass, Oregon; 1 son, William "Bill" (Lynda) Lawrence, Tacoma, Washington; 11 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren

He was precede in death by his parents; a son, Steven Lawrence; 1 brother, 3 sisters.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, Sept. 1, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at the Savage Street L.D.S. Ward Chapel with Bishop Jeffrey J. Elseth of the Redwood L.D.S. Ward officiating. The family will receive friends Friday, Aug. 31, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Hull & Hull Funeral Home and on Saturday at 12:00 noon prior to services at the church. Interment will be in the Hawthorne Memorial Gardens with Military Rites provided by the Oregon Military Honor Guard. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Manning-Wheatley Funeral Chapel, 510 N. 12th Ave.