Chuck Lawrence, 96 year old lifetime Johnson County Rancher, passed away peacefully Saturday at the Amie Holt Care Center in Buffalo. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, December 27th at 2:00 p.m. from the Harness Funeral Home Chapel in Buffalo with Reverend Dr. Bob Miller officiating. Visitation will be at the funeral home chapel on Monday from 1:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Interment will be in Willow Grove Cemetery with graveside services to follow the funeral.
Charles “Chuck” Lawrence was born on November 9, 1920 in Buffalo, Wyoming to Charles C. Lawrence and Sarah Knepper Lawrence. He grew up and went to school in Johnson County and graduated from Johnson County High School as the class president in 1939. In high school he was active in 4-H, showing purebred Hereford Cattle and as a member of the State Championship Judging Team, participating in the National 4-H Club Congress in Chicago. After graduation Chuck attended Iowa State University. He was married on July 26, 1945 to Dorothy Davison and they became the third generation of the Lawrence family to live on the historic Lawrence Ranch on Clear Creek, where they raised their family and actively participated in the community. Following retirement the couple continued to live in Buffalo. Dottie passed away in December of 2015 and Chuck remained in Buffalo until his death.
Chuck was a founding member of the Rural Electric Association which brought electricity to rural Wyoming and is now known as Powder River Energy. Chuck bought and sold livestock and established his reputation as an honest and reliable business man throughout the western states. He was kind, loving and compassionate – a friend to many and a hero to his family. Known for his endless sense of humor and shenanigans that provided entertainment, broke a tense moment, and cajoled a kid out of a grumpy mood.
Chuck is survived five sons, Charles Lawrence of Buffalo, Jim Lawrence and his wife Pat of Casper, John Lawrence and his wife Verna of Buffalo, Dan Lawrence of Buffalo, and Fred Lawrence and his wife Julie of Casper; two daughters, Linda Lawrence of Buffalo and Laura Lawrence of Pueblo, Colorado; one brother, Bill Lawrence of Virginia; fifteen grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 70 years and one sister Mildred Kotuc.
Donations in Mr. Lawrence’s memory may be made in lieu of flowers, to the Johnson County 4-H Judging Team or the Dorothy Lawrence Memorial Nursing Scholarship in care of Harness Funeral Home at 351 N. Adams in Buffalo. Online condolences may be made at www.harnessfuneralhome.com.
