Leigh Merrick Lawrence, 76, of Delray Beach Fla., passed away from a sudden-illness Monday, July 29, 2019. Mr. Lawrence was born on Oct. 5, 1942, in Hackensack, N.J., to Merrick Lawrence and Gertrude Rupp.
After high school, he served his country in the Army at Fort Dix in 1961 and upon his discharge, forged an impressive 40-year general contracting career building homes up and down the eastern U.S. He fathered three sons, Erik, Peter, and Adam, from his 35-year marriage to Jane Gundersen. Mr. Lawrence remarried later in life to JoAnn Noel, celebrating a happy life in South Florida.
Complementing his building career was a deep commitment to spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ and charities of compassion. He served in the Gideons International, the Disabled American Veterans, the Salvation Army, the Veterans Administration, and was eager to join in mission trips crossing the globe. Mr. Lawrence even survived the 2010 Haiti earthquake while serving on a mission trip in Port-au-Prince.
He is survived by JoAnn Noel, his three sons, Erik, Peter and Adam, three grandchildren, and by his sister, Linda Mastalli.
A memorial service celebrating a life well lived will be held at 11 a.m., Aug. 10, 2019, at the Cason United Methodist Church in Delray Beach.
“An inspiration to all those having the opportunity to know him.”
