John Gilbert ("Jack") Lawrence passed away March 10, 2016 in Wichita, KS at the age of 96. He was born to John Benjamin and Bessie Bly (Smith) Lawrence, in Alton, Illinois. He married Maxine Hull in 1948. They had two children, Mary Ann Walker (Phillip) of Rosewood Heights, IL, and Rebecca Sue Lucas (David) and four grandchildren, Christopher Walker, Cassandra Pollock -Galvan (Fredrick), Everett Lucas and wife. Stephanie (Cutshaw), and Jocelyn Lucas. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Mildred (Lawrence) Smith, his brothers, Allen and Don. His wife and children survive.
He attended Alton schools and graduated at Alton High. After graduating, he worked at Millers Mutual Insurance Company. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps before Pearl Harbor and spent four years stateside as an instructor in the Air Force. He was honorably discharged in 1945 when he enrolled in Shurtleff College, Alton, IL, and graduated from the University of Missouri, Rolla, MO with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He was employed by Laclede Steel in the Electric Department where he spent 28 years, retiring in 1981.
In 2008, he and Maxine relocated to Prairie Homestead, an American Baptist Retirement Center in Wichita, KS.
Graveside rites are being held on Friday, April 1, at two o'clock (2:00 P.M) at the Upper Alton Cemetery (Oakwood Cemetery), in Alton, Illinois. Pastor Brad Donoho will officiate.
Memorials may be made to Upper Alton Baptist Church.
Online guestbook available at www.pitchfordfuneralhome.com.
