John Dennis Lawrence

1951 - 2011

John Dennis Lawrence, 59, passed away unexpectedly in Arizona on May 22, 2011. He was a resident of Alaska for 36 years.
John was born June 7, 1951, in Washington, D.C. to John Hilton and Helen Lawrence, a military family that moved frequently. When John was 6, the family moved to Georgia where he was raised mainly in the Macon area. He also enjoyed spending time with other family members and friends in the Butler and Mount Vernon, Ga. areas. When he was 16, he became part of a much larger family with the marriage of his mother to his stepfather Matthew Amos Lewis.
John entered the Army when he was 18 and became a war veteran by fighting in the Vietnam War as a door gunner with the 62nd Aviation Co. He received many medals, including the Good Conduct Medal, Air Medal 14, Vietnam Service Medal with four Bronze Stars, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. He returned home after the war, and in 1975, moved to Alaska, where some of his siblings already lived. He always kept a close bond with all of his veteran brothers and at one time belonged to the Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club of Fairbanks.
John worked for many years as a haul road truck driver and pilot car driver, until he and his wife started J&L Excavating. John retired in 2009 and was able to start enjoying his hobbies, especially fishing in Valdez, getting his captain's license and riding his motorcycle. One of John's special qualities was the love he had for his dogs.
John was a man of conviction and honor. He loved God, his family and his country. John was always there to help his friends and family and will be truly missed. All of John's younger family will really miss seeing "Uncle Santa."
John is survived by his wife Laurie Lawrence of North Pole; son Jason Lawrence and grandson Triston Lawrence of Llano, Texas; son Joshua Lawrence, grandson Kyler Lawrence and granddaughter Stormy Lawrence of Alvarado, Texas; son John Murphy of Vallejo, Calif.; mother Helen Lewis of North Pole; brother Clyde Turner of Macon, Ga., sister Brenda Hutchens of North Pole; brothers, Ronald Lawrence of Valdez, Glen Lawrence of North Pole, Stephen Lawrence of Fairbanks, George Lewis of Macon and Steven Lewis of Macon; stepsisters, Janie Sue, Melba, Beverly, Betty Jo and Theresa; and many other family members.
Anyone wanting to participate in a memorial motorcycle run should meet at Badger and Plack roads at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, June 11.
A memorial service and potluck will follow around 7 p.m., at Veterans of Foreign Wars Golden Heart Post, 324 Second St. Graehl, in Fairbanks.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John Lawrence's name to Credit Union One.
Arrangements were entrusted to Fairbanks Funeral Home.