Lawrence E. Jantz

1925 - 2014

The Reverend Lawrence Jantz left us to be with the Lord our God, on February 7, 2014. Lawrence was known as Larry, Pastor Larry, Brother Jantz, and Uncle Lawrence.

He was born in Newton, Kansas to Peter and Lulu Pearl Jantz on May 8th, 1925. Larry Jantz attended school in Newton and worked on the family farm and neighboring farms.

In 1945, after graduating from High School, he joined the army. He served in the 209th Military Police Company assigned to General MacArthur's 8th Army HQ, following the surrender in Japan. He was heard many times on the Armed Forces Radio GI Gospel Hour during his assignment in Japan. Lawrence received an Honorable Discharge from the Army in November 1946 and joined the Kansas National Guard.

Upon returning to his hometown he found work with the Santa Fe Railroad as a Fireman and soon achieved a young man's dream by becoming a licensed Locomotive Engineer and Instructor. Larry had the opportunity to master Steam Engines, Diesel Hydraulic, and Diesel Electric Engines.

Between the long days and nights on the railway, Lawrence found the "Love of his Life," Dolores Bernice Foth. On June 15, 1949, after her graduation from high school, they were married.

In 1952, sensing a calling to Christian ministry, Lawrence and Dolores entered Bethany Nazarene College in Bethany, OK. They lived in a small trailer and both worked part-time jobs to pay the tuition. In 1956, Lawrence graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors as Summa Cum Laude and was admitted to the Alpha Nu Honor Society of the Phi Delta Lambda.

In 1957 Lawrence graduated with a second degree, a Bachelor of Theology and Dolores graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education. During the College years, Lawrence served as an Associate Pastor of Music with The Reverend L.S. Oliver at Enid, Oklahoma.

Together Lawrence and Dolores served congregations in Oklahoma, Illinois, Missouri, and Michigan. In 1977 they moved to Colorado Springs where he served as Registrar at Nazarene Bible College. They fell in love with the mountains, the weather, their new home, and the friends that they made. They never moved again.

After retirement from Nazarene Bible College in 1985, Lawrence and Dolores became affiliated with Little Chapel of the Hills in Divide, CO. In 1997, Lawrence and Dolores began, once again, using their gifts, skill, and resources to support a small group of people desiring to begin a new church in the Lake George, CO area. God used them both in unique and powerful ways to help this small congregation. It became Community Fellowship of Christians, a thriving congregation in Lake George, CO. Lawrence's expertise in parish ministry and Dolores' musical skills were of great help. They served this small growing congregation until Dolores' death in 2009.

Lawrence and Dolores will be remembered as true and faithful servants of the Lord Jesus. God blessed them and they have blessed others with their kindness, generosity, and love.

Visitation, 10:00AM to 1:00 PM, Wednesday, February 12, 2014, at The Springs Funeral Services, 3115 E. Platte Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80909.

Lawrence will be laid to rest next to his wife, reunited on Valentine's Day, 11:00 AM, February 14, 2014, at the Restlawn Gardens of Memory Cemetery east of Newton, Kansas on Highway 50.

A Worship and Memorial Service will be held in memory of Lawrence and Dolores Jantz at 10:30AM, March 2, 2014, at the Community Fellowship of Christians on Highway 24 in Lake George, CO.

Memorial Contributions may be made either to the Community Fellowship of Christians, P.O. Box 542, Lake George, CO 80827, or the First Church of the Nazarene, 1000 N. Main, Newton, KS 67114.