Laurence Calvin Smith
Burial Details
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 5A - February 9, 2012
L a u r e n c e C a l v i n S m i t h , o f
Grand Junction, CO, age 87,
passed away February 4, 2012,
under the loving and compassionate
care of the Hospice & Palliative
Care Center in Grand Junction.
He was born on March 3, 1924
in Olathe, CO, the son of Thomas
E l o n z o a n d S a d i e C a t h e r i n e
(Clark) Smith.
After graduating from Grand Junction High School in 1941, he enlisted
in the Merchant Marines where he served throughout WWII.
He then enlisted in the Army, and because of his aptitude for languages,
he was then sent to the Army Language School. He mastered
the German language, and then was sent to Germany where he
served for three years in the Counter Intelligence Corp. After his
military service, he attended Mesa Junior College, Grand Junction,
CO (Academic Diploma) and Western State College, Gunnison, CO
(Bachelor of Arts Degree). He later attended Chapman College, Orange,
CA where he earned a Master of Arts Degree.
Throughout his 22 year teaching career, he taught middle school in
Nucla, CO; Grand Junction, CO and Santa Maria, CA. He then
taught high school in Costa Mesa, CA. For his last three years, he
was also the golf coach. He taught Social Studies and German.
Laurence was a member of the Methodist Church for many years
and sang in the choir wherever he lived. For his last 20 years, he was
a member of the Presbyterian Church of Delta.
Laurence's travels took him to over 50 countries throughout his
lifetime. He especially enjoyed a "round the world tour" which was
led by Dr. Mattie Dorsey, a friend and professor from Mesa Junior
College. He also travelled to Europe twice with Dr. Dorsey. They
attended the 1951 Orange Bowl where CU beat Clemson. Their last
trip together was a summer tour through South America.
Laurence loved classical music and was a lifelong member of the
Community Concert series.
Laurence was a member of the Masonic Lodge (thirty-second degree)
for 61 years and was received into Scottish Rite May 9, 1953
in Grand Junction, CO.
Laurence is survived by his life partner of 52 years, Norman
Campbell, and several nieces and nephews. He was especially proud
to have his name carried on by his great-great niece, Caroline Laurence
Vincent, born February 24, 2011. He was preceded in death by
his parents, six brothers and one sister.
Arrangements are under the care of Taylor Funeral Service, Delta,
CO. The viewing will be from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, February
9, at Taylor Funeral Service. The funeral will be held at 10:00
a.m., February 10, at the Presbyterian Church of Delta, 135 E. 4th
St., Delta, CO. Rev. Seacrest will officiate. Laurence will be laid to
rest beside his parents at Memorial Gardens in Grand Junction, CO,
Friday at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, Norm and Larry's family request
that donations be made to Hospice & Palliative Care of Western
Colorado, 3090B N. 12th St., Grand Junction, CO 81506 or the
charity of your choice.
View the internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at
taylorfuneralservice.com.
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 5B - February 7, 2012
Laurence Calvin Smith,
87, Grand Junction, died Feb. 4,
2012, at Hospice Care Center.
Visitation will be from 4 to 6
p.m. Thursday at Taylor Funeral
Service.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday
at the Presbyterian Church
of Delta. Burial will be at 2 p.m.
Friday at Grand Junction Memorial
Gardens.
Survivors include his partner,
Norman Campbell.
Memorial contributions to
Hospice & Palliative Care of
Western Colorado, 3090B North
12th St., Grand Junction 81506
or a charity of choice.
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 6B - February 8, 2012
Laurence Calvin Smith, of Grand Junction, CO, age 87, passed
away February 4, 2012, under the loving and compassionate care of
the Hospice & Palliative Care Center in Grand Junction.
He was born on March 3, 1924 in Olathe, CO, the son of Thomas
Elonzo and Sadie Catherine (Clark) Smith.
After graduating from Grand Junction High School in 1941, he enlisted
in the Merchant Marines where he served throughout WWII.
He then enlisted in the Army, and because of his aptitude for languages,
he was then sent to the Army Language School. He mastered
the German language, and then was sent to Germany where he
served for three years in the Counter Intelligence Corp. After his
military service, he attended Mesa Junior College, Grand Junction,
CO (Academic Diploma) and Western State College, Gunnison, CO
(Bachelor of Arts Degree). He later attended Chapman College, Orange,
CA where he earned a Master of Arts Degree.
Throughout his 22 year teaching career, he taught middle school in
Nucla, CO; Grand Junction, CO and Santa Maria, CA. He then
taught high school in Costa Mesa, CA. For his last three years, he
was also the golf coach. He taught Social Studies and German.
Laurence was a member of the Methodist Church for many years
and sang in the choir wherever he lived. For his last 20 years, he was
a member of the Presbyterian Church of Delta.
Laurence's travels took him to over 50 countries throughout his
lifetime. He especially enjoyed a "round the world tour" which was
led by Dr. Mattie Dorsey, a friend and professor from Mesa Junior
College. He also travelled to Europe twice with Dr. Dorsey. They
attended the 1951 Orange Bowl where CU beat Clemson. Their last
trip together was a summer tour through South America.
Laurence loved classical music and was a lifelong member of the
Community Concert series.
Laurence was a member of the Masonic Lodge (thirty-second degree)
for 61 years and was received into Scottish Rite May 9, 1953
in Grand Junction, CO.
Laurence is survived by his life partner of 52 years, Norman
Campbell, and several nieces and nephews. He was especially proud
to have his name carried on by his great-great niece, Caroline Laurence
Vincent, born February 24, 2011. He was preceded in death by
his parents, six brothers and one sister.
Arrangements are under the care of Taylor Funeral Service, Delta,
CO. The viewing will be from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, February
9, at Taylor Funeral Service. The funeral will be held at 10:00
a.m., February 10, at the Presbyterian Church of Delta, 135 E. 4th
St., Delta, CO. Rev. Seacrest will officiate. Laurence will be laid to
rest beside his parents at Memorial Gardens in Grand Junction, CO,
Friday at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, Norm and Larry's family request
that donations be made to Hospice & Palliative Care of Western
Colorado, 3090B N. 12th St., Grand Junction, CO 81506 or the
charity of your choice.
View the internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at
taylorfuneralservice.com.
