Obituary of Lawrence Lauderdale

Lawrence A Lauderdale passed away from aged related causes on September 13, 2013. He was 89 years of age.A Memorial Service will be held Friday, September 20th, at 11:00 AM at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church.Lawrence was born on January 25th, 1924, in Idaho Falls, Idaho to Lawrence and Leora (Waterman) Lauderdale. He married Elizabeth Ann Williams in Clackamas, Oregon on April 14, 1944.Lawrence graduated from Oakville High school in Oakville, Washington in 1942. He served in the Army Air Corps from April 1943 to February 1946. In September of 1945 he went to Japan and then home. He went to Oregon State College in Corvallis, Oregon, graduating in 1950. He became the map and records clerk for Eugene Water and Electric Board (EWEB) in 1955, and worked there for nearly 30 years.Lawrence and his wife Elizabeth belonged to the Danebo Circle 8 Square Dance Club. They went to St Matthew's Episcopal Church and were members of the Oregon State Grange.Lawrence was preceded in death by his beloved wife on June 5, 2009, after 65 years of marriage. He is survived by their six children: Tom Lauderdale (Gloria) of Ridgefield, WA, Jim Lauderdale of Eugene, OR, David Lauderdale (Susan) of Vancouver, WA, Peggy Rolf (Fred), of Rainer, OR, Linda Johnson (Dwight) of McMinville, OR, and Cyndee Nieves of Durham, NC: twelve grandchildren; fourteen great grandchildren; and by his brothers: Chuck from Apachie Junction, AZ, Ray from Salem OR, & Bob from Vacaville, CA. A sister, Erstelle “Lee” preceded him in death.Arrangements entrusted to Musgrove Family Mortuary. Please access the obituary and you are invited to sign the guestbook at musgroves.comBorn in Idaho Falls on January 24, 1924, the oldest child of Robert Lawrence Lauderdale& Leora June Waterman Lauderdale and grew up in various places around the NorthwestIncluding Coupeville, Washington and Oakville, Washington where he graduated fromHigh School in 1941. After briefly attending Washington State College in Pullman, heAnswered the call to duty and joined the Army Air Corps in 1943. He married ElizabethAnn Williams of Oregon City on April 14, 1944 and almost immediately left to join thewar in the Pacific.He served in the Army Air corps in the Pacific from April 1944 until January 1946 whenhe returned to the US. His fondest memories of his war experience mostly included food;the capture of chickens or local vegetables and helping prepare in the mess. He spent timefollowing the operations from Green Island, to the Philippines, and finally to Japan. Hearrived in Japan at Atsugi a day or two before the main occupation force to prepare theairfield for the occupation surge. He recalled camping under the wing of the plane hissmall group had landed in, and while on guard duty the second night, capturing a starvinglocal boy who was trying to steal food. He and another soldier held the boy at gun pointfor a minute, then sent him away. Later that day, the boy’s tearful parents came offeringanything to atone, including a daughter – their offer was refused. The next day the “first”occupation forces arrived with the photographers.He left Japan on January 12, 1946 and told of sleeping on the deck of the Navy transportship because of the crowded and fragrant conditions below, and arrived in Portland,Oregon in February 1946. He told of being “met” at the ship by his wife and mother-in-law, running around, missing them, and finally taking the street car to Oregon Citywhere he did connect with them for the weekend. His Army service was completed a fewweeks later at Fort Lewis when Sergeant Larry became a civilian and then a student atOregon Ste College where he graduated in 1950 with a degree in AgriculturalEngineering.The part of his life you all know is: He raised six children, 3 sons and 3 daughters, andworked for Eugene Water and Electric Board for nearly 30 years. He had the retirementmost people dream of – nearly 30 busy years. He was an active square dancer, sangenthusiastically in the St. Matthew’s Church choir, was a Boy Scout merit badgecounselor, enjoyed camping and family activities. He had fun being a Beaver fan inDuck country. He maintained a sense of humor and was willing to help almost anyone,anytime. Larry never had a problem “saying in touch with his inner child”. Hismarriage ended after 65 years on June 5, 2009 when Ann passed away. He joins her nowafter peacefully passing away during a “nap” on Friday, September 13, 2013.