Larry Lawrence Obituary

THOMPSONVILLE -- Larry Robert Lawrence, 63, formerly of Mercedes, Texas and Thompsonville, died Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2012, in the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.

Larry was born April 11, 1949, in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, to Ted and Shirley (Johnson) Lawrence.

He is survived by his father, Ted Lawrence; sister, Sherri Lawrence; brother, John and wife, Kathryn Lawrence, all of Thompsonville; daughters, Danielle and husband, Charles Gallo, of The Woodlands, Texas, and Genevieve Lawrence and husband, Tucker Freismuth, of Diamond Head, Miss.; and son, Lucas Lawrence of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; grandchildren, Julian and Ione Greenhaw and Mirabella and Genevieve Gallo; nephew, Spencer Lawrence and niece, Domenica Lawrence.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Shirley Lawrence in 2007; brother, Don Lawrence in 1983; and his partner, LaVila Suma who died Nov. 26, 2012, just 8 days before Larry.

He was an All-State quarterback on Cedar Rapids' Jefferson High School's State Championship football team in 1965 and was a starting forward when Jefferson won the state title in basketball in 1967. He played quarterback at the University of Iowa in 1968 and 1969 before transferring to Miami. He played in the Canadian Football League for three seasons and played in the NFL from 1974 to 1976 for the Oakland Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

He was married to Kathy Bradley of Cedar Rapids for 16 years.

He had his own fitness center in Cedar Rapids. He also worked for Teeters Company and Winegard Company of Burlington, Iowa. In 2003 he was installing an Internet satellite on an offshore oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico when he had a heart attack. He was kept alive with an L-VAD pump until he received the heart of 22-year-old, Matthew Cory Watterson. Larry's family and friends will always be grateful to Matthew's mother, Kayree Turner, for her generosity which extended Larry's life for an additional nine years. After his recovery, Larry worked with the organization Donate Life to increase public awareness for the need for donors.

One way to honor Larry's memory could be to take the time to make personal arrangements for organ donation. Memorial plans are incomplete.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Southern Illinoisan on Dec. 10, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Larry Lawrence

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15 Entries

John Otto Eichacker

December 4, 2022

James Fox

April 23, 2021

What an amazing guy! I knew him through high school athletics. We were both QB's. We were both coached by our fathers. In 1966 our teams tied 6-6 to share the mythical state championship. The game was played in November. Larry, playing LB tackled me and my ribs hurt for 7 months. He had an All-American personality, too. Truly a one in a million guy!

Brian Mouland

February 18, 2013

Remember Larry and his long hair playing for the Calgary Stampeders

I made this tribute card of Larry in honor of his CFL career.

John Eichacker

December 21, 2012

December 17, 2012

Larry and his father Ted were able to convince a person with average abilities that he was capable of achieving extrodanary things with the 110% effort that Ted preached about. together they changed my life

Al Norris

December 16, 2012

I've started this multiple times but just can't get right. These sorts of things should be solemn, poignant, and concise.
But every time I begin I end up with pages of meandering remembrance.

I first met Larry in the 6th grade. Played against him, with him, hung out, observed from a distance and up close. Time , distance and circumstance led us in different directions but I had the good fortune to cross paths with him over the years. Last saw him in my home in 1996 and had the greatest time reminiscing.
Never thought that would be the last time. Somehow there should have been at least one more opportunity to connect.
Yeah, Larry was an incredible athlete. The best many of us have ever known but his spirit touched many lives in other ways that transcended mere athleticism.
Here was a guy who could literally do just about anything and could live the life of his choice..........and.....I believe he did.
Miss you L.L.
Godspeed.

Al Norris

Eric Oliver

December 12, 2012

Growing up in the shadow of Jefferson High School in the mid 1960's Larry Lawrence was my first hero. A more incredible athlete will never grace the fields that he had so much success on as a J-Hawk. God Bless You Larry Lawrence.

Marion Evashevski

December 11, 2012

I am so sorry to hear of Larry's passing. He was, to say the least, continuously interesting. My heartfelt condolences go out to Ted, Sherri and John and to Larry's children. I am truly saddened for the loss of this wonderful, light-hearted, quirky and intelligent man.

Cathy Mickelson

December 10, 2012

Geoff mickelson, a teammate of Larry's at U of I, was severely injured in a fall the summer of 2010. He was a patient at university of Iowa hospital for many weeks. Though Geoff was unable to have visitors and unresponsive, Larry came to the hospital, called or emailed daily giving comfort and support to geoff's wife and 3 daughters. His kindness is imbedded in our hearts.
Cathy, Jenica , Cara and Erin Mickelson

December 10, 2012

Didn't know Larry but my condolances go out to the Lawrence family,I was aquainted with Mr. Ted Lawrence ,always found him to be a good man and am sure his family was equally as good in character as he . Willie Wolf

December 10, 2012

I met LL shortly after and thanks to his heart transplant.
Hearing about the infamous LL gave me a stereotypical impression of an arrogant, not so wise, athlete. Immediately upon meeting Larry, all of my preconceived notions were tossed out the window. Not only was Larry extremely intelligent, he was so much more than an athlete. Larry, with his sarcastic humor and witty comebacks embodied entertainment. He had life stories that a small town girl like myself only reads about. He, in my opinion, lived and loved life to its fullest! He boasted about his talented and equally as stubborn children. He told stories of his travels through the seas on his small yacht, jungle excursions, meeting people all of types and consuming their culture.
Larry was a deep thinker and spiritual soul always sharing himself with our family. Whether it be teaching me ti chi, feeding my children dog treats for tricks, or hanging out all night with his little brother sipping Centenario, he was always involved and gave 100% of himself.
I feel blessed to have had the time to get to know my brother in law and am grateful for all the people who touched his life, gave him those stories to tell and shaped his oh so sarcastic, loving character! I'm honored that the last time I saw Larry he called me sis. We love you Larry Lawrence, you will always be missed and never forgotten as you are, "The most interesting man in the world!"
Your sis,
Kassy Lawrence

Yvette

December 10, 2012

Journey of Souls is so real now for you my dear, dear friend. I will miss you and always remember all we shared in this lifetime.

Larry, LaVila and Demi Lawrence

December 10, 2012

John Eichacker

December 10, 2012

It was as a sophomore on the 1966 Jefferson High School football team that I first met Larry. I admired and looked up to Larry and it was a privilege to have known him. I visited Larry at his fitness center many years later and it was good to see him again. My deepest sympathy to his family.

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