Captain Laurence William Enderson Jr.

1929 - 2018

I, Laurence "Hap" William Enderson, Jr. lived a great life! Born in Littleton, NH December 16, 1929, my parents, Laurence W. Enderson, Sr. and Anne S. Enderson had two daughters, Patricia and Ann and five sons Laurence Jr. (Hap), Alton (Salt), Robert (Crowe), Richard (Itch) and James (Pepper). I was blessed with 57 fantastic years of marriage to Mary Beth Enderson, the best woman I ever knew. I met her, in Ft Lauderdale at a street dance, and we married June 12, 1954. Mary Beth went to heaven before me and has been waiting and praying for my soul in hopes that I would be joining her when the good Lord deemed me ready. Mary Beth and I were blessed with eight successful children: Dr. Lance Enderson (Michele), Mark Enderson (Kim), Beth Mogensen, Therese Johnson (Chris), Dr. Mary Enderson, Amy Vaughn (Steve), Joe Enderson (Leigh), Kim Hensley (Devin) and 24 incredible grandchildren. After graduation from Littleton High School, I left New Hampshire to seek my fortune in sunny Florida. There, I traveled and worked in the hotel industry, and eventually joined the United States Navy on March 1, 1950. After 4 years in the Navy, I became a reservist and decided to get a college degree so I could better support a family. Little did I know at that time how large a family it would be!I completed a Bachelor's degree from Georgia Tech in Aerospace Engineering, then moved to Hampton, VA where I worked for NASA, and subsequently began a long career as a civil servant with the Air Force at Langley Air Force Base, VA. During my time with NASA and the Air Force, I authored/coauthored 30 articles on various topics such as lunar orbits and rendezvous techniques, published in an International Space Encyclopedia, in French, German and English.Education was a passion and in 1966, I completed a Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering from Virginia Tech followed by a certificate in Education for Public Management from the University of Virginia. While working for the Air Force I spent a year in Thailand, worked numerous special projects, eventually attaining the position of Director of Operations Analysis. I retired from civil service in 1990. I also served as a US Naval Reservist, at Norfolk Naval Air Station, serving in numerous roles and billets, retiring as a Captain (O-6), in 1988.After retirement Mary Beth and I traveled extensively and did mission work supporting multiple organizations particularly NPH (Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos) and the orphanages associated with the organization.I have thoroughly enjoyed my life, it hasn't always been perfect, but nothing ever is. My advice to you is to remember "Life is short, live it to the fullest! SMILE, BE HAPPY!" My hope for you is that "Everything is Copacetic!"A memorial mass and visitation to celebrate my life will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in January 2019. My family and I would like to extend a special thanks to the Sentara Hospice staff for taking such good care of me in my later days. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to St. Joseph Catholic Church (512 Buckroe Ave, Hampton, VA 23664), or Sentara Hospice (Sentara Hospice Services, 11844 Rock Landing Drive, Suite C, Newport News, VA 23606).