Anthony Ora "Tony" Lawrence

1963 - 2013

Lt. Col. Anthony 'Tony' Ora Lawrence (Ret.) passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013, due to a severe case of arteriosclerosis.
His wife, Tracy King, and his loving children, Nicole (age 19), Tony (age 18), and Ross (age 14), survive him.
Tony was preceded in death by his father, Ralph; mother, Ann V. Lawrence; and a brother, Michael. His surviving siblings are Ralph (Nancy), Elizabeth Hatcher, Kenneth, Jennifer Petroske (David), and Mark (Kelly). Tony's surviving nieces and nephews are Steven, Jennifer, Tara, Jennifer, Jay, Michael, Kelly, Kayla, Kenny, Eric, Christy, Tyler, Zach and Jacob.
Born in Lexington, Ky., and raised in Winchester, Ky., he then went on to raise a beautiful family in Destin, Fla.
He graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1986 with an electrical engineering degree, which was later followed by a master's in Aeronautical Science from Embry Riddle University.
Tony was an MC-130 navigator and had recently retired from the United States Air Force Reserve in October 2012, where he finished his career as the squadron commander for the 711th SOS at Duke Field, Fla. He was also the owner of Tony Lawrence Consulting, Inc., which was his own government contracting company.
Tony left a piece of him in all of us and his absence will weigh heavy in our hearts.
The funeral services will be held at Heritage Gardens (2201 Partin Dr N, Niceville, FL 32578). A viewing will be from 5 until 7 p.m. (central time) on Friday, March 8, 2013, and the service will be held at 11 a.m. (central time) on Saturday, March 9, 2013. The burial will take place directly after the service on Saturday, March 9, 2013, at the Destin Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation or Disabled American Veterans. You may express condolences to the family and sign the guestbook at www.heritagegardensfuneralhome.com. Heritage Gardens Funeral Home of Niceville is entrusted with the arrangements.