Lawrence Joseph LaMeire was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on July 15, 1921. He was called home to our Lord Jesus on Easter morning April 24, 2011.

Because of all the Lawrences in his family, he liked to be called Joe.

Joe was raised in Minnesota and in his younger life, lived also in Wisconsin and Illinois (Chicago area).

He joined the Navy during World War II on May 11, 1944. He spent 1 year, 5 months, and 8 days in the Navy (I remember he could always remember how long he was in the service up to the exact day). He was honorably discharged on October 19, 1945 after his ship, the USS Dickerson, was destroyed and sunk in the waters off Okinawa, Japan on April 2, 1945. He received fragment wounds in his left leg.

Several years later, while on his way to Alaska, Joe stopped in Longmont, Colorado, where he met and later married Norma Jean Lawing. They were married on February 25, 1951. They had 50 wonderful years together before Norma was called home to our Lord on May 24, 2001. They had 7 daughters. (Joe also had 4 children from a previous marriage.) Nope he never made it to Alaska.

Joe worked many different jobs over his lifetime in many different states. He was a roofer, cabinet maker, woodworker, locksmith, small engine repair technician, and when he retired, he was managing storage units in Oregon. He was living in Albany, Oregon when he and Norma retired.

They then moved to Hillsboro, Oregon, which is where Norma passed away, then in February of 2011, Joe moved to Springfield, Oregon, where he ultimately passed. He had been ill for quite some time, especially after experiencing a heart attack in February of 2010.

Joe lived a long, sometimes hard, but (I know he would say) wonderful life. He had 11 children (10 daughters and 1 son), many, many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. And he loves everyone of them with all his heart.

He is survived by his children: Clarice Wroblewski, Chandler, AZ and husband Larry; Kathy Jackson, Sedona, AZ; Larry Lind, Tacoma, WA and wife Rita; Jody Elkey, Chandler, AZ and husband Jerry; Jeanette LaMeire, Greeley, CO; Connie Gereaux, Greeley, CO and husband Ron; Valerie Horwath, Springfield, OR; Donna Lippincott, Ridgefield, WA and husband Al; Denise Dewis, Springfield, OR and husband Bobby; Betty Tomas, Springfield, OR and husband Frank; and Teri Cote, Longmont, CO. He is also survived by one sister, Mary Margaret Coomes, Cheyenne, WY; and a sister-in-law, Betty Noleen Minch, Mead, CO and her husband Don.

Praise God that he is no longer in pain or suffering and is reunited with Mom…We will miss him so very much, but am happy for him, he can see again, hear again, dance and have no more worries.

We love you Joe/Brother/Daddy/Grandpa/Uncle/Father-in-Law/Brother-in-Law, rest in peace in the arms of our Lord Jesus Christ. We will see you again.

Lawrence Joseph LaMeire will be interned at Willamette National Cemetery, Portland, Oregon in Columbarium Court II, Row 588, Niche E, with his wife Norma.

There will be a Celebration of his life in Springfield, Oregon, date unknown at this time.

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