Gary L. Lawrence

Gary L. Lawrence, age 75, of Iola, Kansas, passed away peacefully with family on Sunday, January 27, 2019, in Yates Center, Kansas.  Gary was born July 12, 1943, in Wichita, Kansas, to Alford Lawrence and Ermyl (Shirk) Lawrence.   Gary graduated from Wichita Southeast High School in 1962. In that same year, Gary met the love of his life, Judith M. Gibson, whom he saw climbing in a tree chasing children she was babysitting at the time. Gary was hooked and began dating Judy until they eventually married on June 11, 1965, in Toronto, Kansas. Gary served in the United States Army National Guard from 1964 to 2003, attaining the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4 before his retirement. Gary also over the years, worked at Beech-Cessna, Artex, as a United State Postal carrier, and was a small business owner. Throughout his life, Gary enjoyed numerous hobbies and sports including hunting, camping, swimming, water skiing, and golf. However, his biggest passions were fishing, riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle, and was an avid reader. Gary was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Dennis Lawrence and Donald Lawrence; and one sister, Eva Lawrence. Gary is survived by his wife, Judy, of 53 years, Iola, Kansas; two sons, Ken and his wife, Susan Kenzle, Austin, Texas, Eric and his wife, Melissa, Iola, Kansas; one granddaughter, Emily M. Lawrence, Iola, Kansas; one sister, Nina Lubrano and her husband, Gerard, and their two sons, Anthony and Sean, Mouguerre, France; nephews, David, Donavan, Jeremy, and Dustin; nieces, Denise, Cherie, Jennifer, and Lisa.  A visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, in The Venue at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service, Iola, Kansas.  A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 30, 2019, at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel, Iola.  Burial with military honors will follow in Highland Cemetery, Iola, Kansas.  In lieu of gifts or flowers, the family requests memorials be made in Gary’s name to either the Shriner’s Hospital for Children Transportation Fund or Wounded Warrior Project, and may be left with Feuerborn Family Funeral Service, Iola, Kansas. Condolences for the family may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com .