Lawrence was born July 11, 1923 in Salina, the sixth of thirteen children born to Harry and Hazel Agnew Clovis. Growing up during the Depression, he worked at many odd jobs to help out the family.

Upon graduating from high school in 1941, he enlisted in the Army and served in World War II as a Tech Sergeant in the 202nd. Ordinance Depot Co. He was stationed throughout Europe. Serving his country during the war was one of the most important experiences of his life.

He returned to Salina after the war and eventually went to work for Kriz-Davis, Inc., where he worked for almost 30 years. He was manager of the Salina store for many years and later became vice president of the corporation.

He married Alice Fleming in 1950. They raised two daughters, Louise and Mary. They divorced in 1978.

Lawrence married Anita Guerrant in 1983. They divorced several years later, but Lawrence continued to care about his two stepchildren, Wayne and Suzie.

Lawrence was a lifelong member of the American Legion, the Masons, and Isis Shrine and a member of The Christ Cathedral Episcopal Church in Salina.

He devoted twenty-five years to the American Legion Baseball Program. He was coach and later team manager of the Salina team, the Blue Jays. He was state baseball commissioner for the American Legion.

Before his illness in early 2004, Lawrence worked for five years in the Salina public schools in the Foster Grandparent Program. He tutored children at Schilling and Oakdale Elementary Schools. It was one of the joys of his life.

He is survived by two daughters, Mary Becker and her husband, Jerry, of Topeka, and Amanda Louise Montgomery and her husband, George Hanssen, of Wyckoff, New Jersey; six grandchildren, Andrea Dixon and Zachary Nusbaum of Durham, NC, Mischa Becker of Portland, Ore, Raphen Becker of Amherst, Mass, Joanna and Jennie Becker, Topeka; one great grandchild; a sister, Mary Jean Debboli of Troy, New York; two brothers, Raymond Clovis of Meridian, Idaho, and Jim Clovis of Lawrence, KS, and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Foster Grandparent Program in care of Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. 8th. St., Salina, KS 67401.

Funeral services for Lawrence will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 27, 2005, at the Christ Cathedral Episcopal Church with the Very Rev. Timothy E. Kline officiating.

Inurnment will be at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 28, 2005, in the Christ Cathedral columnbarium.