Hugh Lawrence

Hugh Lawrence

Hugh Lawrence passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 14, 2022 surrounded by his family due to complications from heart failure. Hugh was born in Missoula, MT to Floyd and Florence Lawrence. The family then moved to Anaconda, MT and finally settled in Butte, MT where he grew up with his younger brother Brian. Ask anyone and they will tell you he was the hardest worker they knew. His first job was at 14 years old on a farm in Dillon, MT and he retired just shy of his 72nd birthday. He worked for the Forrest Service, Anaconda Company, Milo's, Bigger's Transport and Stauffer Chemical during his time in Butte. In 1995 he got back to his mining roots and moved to Soda Springs, ID as a shift boss for Rhone-Poulenc. During this time he also became an EMT volunteering on his days off. The Pinto Valley Mine in Globe, AZ was his next move in 2006. He opened up a mine that had been closed for years and eventually started to move into the safety side of the business. His last move was to Richland, WA in 2008 where he worked as a Safety Coordinator/Supervisor for the Hanford Nuclear Site. He always had a leadership role, never called in sick and hardly took any vacation. He was a very dedicated employee and provider for his family.

Hugh married his high school sweetheart Kristy Knievel on December 10, 1967 in Butte, MT. They would have celebrated 55 years of marriage this December. They loved cars and joined the 4 Wheel Drive Club in their early married years. They won several trophies during this time and made some wonderful memories and lifelong friends. A new adventure began with the birth of their daughter Jennifer in 1976 and their son Kash in 1980. Their favorite family vacations were to Disneyland. Hugh loved taking his kids to Disneyland so much that he started setting aside money to take his grandkids as soon as they were born. They got to go 3 times.

Not only was Hugh a dedicated employee and provider but also a fierce patriot. Hugh joined the Navy and went to Vietnam just days after graduating from Butte High School in 1965. He started his Navy life on the USS Endurance as an Engineman. After a tour of duty on Endurance during Operation Market Time he converted to Equipment Operator in the Seabees. His Active and Reserve time totaled 38 years and he retired as a Chief – an achievement he was very proud of. Hugh had a passion for vintage cars and planned to restore them in retirement. He loved animals, music, spicy food, boots and lightning storms. One of his final declarations was "what I have learned matters most in life is that you have a good heart". Hugh certainly did and he will be missed so very much by his family.

Hugh is survived by his wife Kristy Lawrence, son Kash Lawrence, daughter Jennifer Smitham and husband Jon, grandchildren Jackson and Jayna Smitham, brother Brian Lawrence and wife Connie. In-laws include mother Jeanne Knievel, sister Robin Knievel-Dick and husband John, brother Bill Slaughter, sister Rusty Knievel, sister Linda Knievel plus many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents Floyd and Florence Lawrence and in-laws that include father Robert E. Knievel, sister Renee Knievel-Slaughter, brother Nick Knievel and brother Robert C. Knievel.

A military funeral is planned for July 7th in Butte, MT at Mountain View Cemetery starting at 12:30pm. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in Hugh's name to the animal or Veteran's charity of your choice.