Obituary of Lawrence McLaurin

Lawrence McLaurin passed away on November 14, 2014 in Orange Park, FL, the city he loved. Lawrence was born on November 20, 1936 in Jackson, MS, the fifth child of 11 children born to Estell and Lovie May (Johnson) McLaurin. Lawrence, also known as “Larry,” “Bruh,” “Mr. Mack” or “Smoke Pole,” attended Christ Temple Holiness Church with his family and was baptized at an early age. He attended Fremont High School in Los Angeles, CA, and married his childhood sweetheart, Juanita Garrison, in 1958. From their union, four children were born, Denise, Terri, Demetria and Marlon. Lawrence and Juanita were old friends in the end. Lawrence landed his dream job at Lockheed in Burbank, CA, in 1962 and worked from a laborer up the corporate ladder with his knowledge, wit and determination. Lockheed took him from Los Angeles to Jacksonville, FL, with a few stops in between. He retired from Lockheed Martin with over 30 years in the Field Modification Department as a Field Support Representative. He was a union steward with the UAW. Lawrence enjoyed all Jacksonville had to offer. He had great neighbors for over 30 years who stuck by him in good and bad times. He had friends who loved him to no end. Most of all, he found Christ again and knew the love of God. Lawrence belonged to Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church in Jacksonville. He enjoyed collecting old cars, playing pool, bowling, watching old movies including westerns, listening to old gospel singers and music, and the Jacksonville Jaguars football team. Lawrence loved to laugh and have fun. Lawrence was preceded in death by his parents, Estell and Lovie McLaurin; brothers, Louis, Willie and Nathaniel McLaurin; sisters, Mary Jackson and Catherine Love; grandparents, Robert and Sarah McLaurin, and Willie and Charlotte Johnson. Mr. McLaurin is survived by his daughters, Denise, Terri and Demetria; son, Marlon; grandson, Cleatus; granddaughters, Ashley, Nashuwah and Nyla; great-grandsons, Marlon II and Justin; great-granddaughters Tia and Celena; great-great grandson, Know; and a host of other loving family members and devoted friends. The family thanks Dr. Arthur M. Schueler, Orange Park Medical Center, neighbors who were caregivers and many, many friends for their unending support. Quotes by Lawrence: “Today is a good day to have a good day.” “Gone but not forgotten, memories of you will forever be in my heart.”