Bruce A. Lawrence's Obituary
Bruce Atlee Lawrence was born on December 10, 1931 in Jamestown, New York to Ethel Jane Fischer and Atlee Burpee Lawrence. Bruce grew up in Schenectady, New York and he attended Mt. Pleasant High School there. Bruce attended the University of Miami where he played as a guard on their basketball team. He is also a lifelong brother of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. Bruce graduated in 1957 with a B.A. degree in Radio/TV. He married Josephine Myrtle Dewey and they had four children together. Bruce then married June Marion Johnson and they had two children together.
He was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints along with his wife, June, on March 23, 1979. Bruce was then sealed as a family to June and their children in the Washington, DC LDS temple on September 19, 1980. They lived in Killingworth, CT until 1991 when they moved to Lakeland, FL. They also had a cabin on Hedge’s Lake in Cambridge, NY where Bruce enjoyed spending holidays and weekends there. Bruce held many callings in the church, including Ward Mission Leader, Gospel Doctrine & Gospel Principles teacher, Counselor in the Bishopric, Boy Scout Leader, and Seminary teacher. He enjoyed singing in the choir at church, running, basketball, fishing, bird watching, boating, photography, and was an avid golfer. He had a tender heart towards animals and would rescue them if they needed help.
Bruce is predeceased by his parents, Atlee and Ethel (Fischer) Lawrence, and his son, Mark Lawrence.
He is survived by his wife, June Johnson Lawrence, his children Rick, Kelley, Michael (Dee), Maija, and Krista (Oliver Maslo), as well as 11 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Bruce is loved and missed by many, but we know that families are together forever, and we will see him again someday.
A memorial service for Bruce will be held on Saturday, May 20, 2023 at 11:00AM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1839 Gibsonia-Galloway Rd. Lakeland.
We would appreciate donations in lieu of flowers to help ease upcoming financial burdens. Please contact his daughter via Venmo @maijasofia (Maija Lawrence), via Zelle (Maija Lawrence), or [email protected]. Thank you and God Bless!
What’s your fondest memory of Bruce?
What’s a lesson you learned from Bruce?
Share a story where Bruce's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Bruce you’ll never forget.
How did Bruce make you smile?