Lowell Bruce Lawrence passed into Eternal Life unexpectedly on Wednesday afternoon, 21 August 2019, at Jackson Purchase Medical Center in Mayfield, Kentucky.
Bruce was born 23 April 1951, the son of Jacquelyn L. Stevenson (née Edwards) and Clarence J. Lawrence.
Bruce was preceded in life by Allyson (Nino) Perez (daughter of Jacquelyn and Clarence) of Hammond, Indiana, and subsequently by his sister, D. Jean Gruzella, and brother David Keith Dunn (deceased in infancy), with his mother Jacquelyn and his step-father, Joseph Dunn.
Bruce was also joined in life by his brothers and sisters, the children of Clarence (CJ) and Carolyn J. Lawrence, Cheryl (Danny) Duncan, Clarence Edward (Brenda) Lawrence, Cathy (Roger) Story, and Connie (Tim) Pittman.
On entering Eternal Life, Bruce joined his wife Sandra Sue Lawrence (nee Hester); his parents, Jacquelyn and Clarence; his brother David; and most recently, his sister Cheryl.
Bruce joined the United States Army on 02 July 1969, as a volunteer, and opted to serve in Vietnam. While there, Bruce was responsible for the M-60 machine gun because, as he later said, “I just thought that if I’m going to war, I want to be the one carrying the biggest weapon we (his squad) have.” Bruce received numerous awards for his Vietnam service including the Silver Star, the National Defense Service Medal, the Air Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Republic of Viet Nam Campaign Medal. After completing his tour in Vietnam, Bruce was sent to the Federal Republic of Germany where he served the remainder of his enlistment, receiving an Honorable Discharge in March 1973.
Bruce spent the first few months immediately after his discharge from active duty with family in Northwest Indiana and then returned home to Paducah. Bruce was employed in a variety of occupations, to include working on the river boats, plumbing, construction trades, and sales positions.
Round about 1977, Bruce and Sue met and, after they married, Bruce became a loving husband and a father to Sue’s daughters, DaChay and Joley. Shortly after they wed, Bruce and Sue moved their family to Florida, where they lived for many years in the New Smyrna Beach and Edgewater areas enjoying the sun and water while raising “the girls”. Bruce and Sue returned to Paducah where Sue passed on to her Eternal Life in 1994.
Bruce was an avid reader and could figure up and keep track of numbers without the benefit of a pen and paper. He attained his Real Estate License in Florida and, after returning to Paducah secured his Insurance License, after which, he worked as an Insurance Agent until his retirement.
In addition to reading, Bruce enjoyed boating and fishing, golf, landscape design and architecture, cooking, marksmanship, watching wildlife and planning for the future. He loved and cared for many animal companions throughout his life, which most recently included Libby, his border collie, who survived her caregiver
Bruce is survived by his stepmother, Carolyn; siblings, Allyson, Jeanne, Edward, Cathy and Connie; children, DaChay and Joley; his nieces and nephews: Nina Slaven (nee Perez) of Crown Point, Indiana, Robert (Terri) Perez of Orlando, Florida; Anthony Perez of Crown Point, Indiana; Michael Perez of Hammond, Indiana; Jennifer Gruzella of Paducah, Kentucky; Pamela Gruzella of Paducah, Kentucky; Michael Lawrence of Gilbertsville, Kentucky; Tiffanie (Ray) Daughtery of Benton, Kentucky, Adam (Vicki) Noles of Benton, Kentucky; numerous grandchildren and numerous great-nieces and great nephews
A visitation will be held Tuesday, August 27 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Lindsey Funeral Home. On Wednesday, August 28, friends may visit from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm, with funeral service to immediately follow with Rev. Topper Council officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Wounded Warrior Project PO Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8517
Final resting place at Arlington National Cemetery, date and details to follow.
