James Douglas Lawrence

LAWRENCE, JAMES DOUGLAS, died Tuesday January 27, 2004, age 81. Born in Orange County, he was the son of the late Euless Smith and Daisy Parker Lawrence. Douglas attended Ocoee High School and received degrees from Middle Georgia College, Cochran, GA, and a Bachelors degree from the University of Florida, Gainesville, FL. Using his accounting degree, Mr. Lawrence was a comptroller for a construction company in Swainsboro, GA for many years and later a real estate agent for McMurtrey Realty of Windemere, FL and C. Wayne Efurd & Associates, Inc. in Winter Garden, FL. He was a veteran serving in the US Army during the occupation of Germany after WWII. A "Florida Cracker", Mr. Lawrence was born on September 21, 1922 at home in Gotha, FL. There, the Parker and Lawrence families maintained some of the original producing citrus groves in the area. An active community member, Douglas was a charter member and treasurer of the Gotha Chamber of Commerce. He served in many civic clubs and organizations and was a member of Pine Hills Church of Christ 890 N. Hastings Street Orlando, FL, 32808 where a memorial service will be held on Saturday February 7, 2004 at 4PM. Mr. Lawrence was preceeded in death by his parents and his brother, Fred P. Lawrence of Gainesville and is survived by his sister, Juanita Lawrence Browning of Douglas, GA, one niece, Susan Browning Rockett of Douglas, GA, and five nephews, Parker Lawrence of Gainesville, FL, Stephen Lawrence of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Lawrence H. Browning of Jacksonville, FL, Curtis E. Browning of Cordele, GA, and Roger E. Browning of Valdosta, GA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the UF Foundation for the Doug Lawrence Memorial Fund, P O Box 14425 Gainesville, FL 32604 for Shands Hospital. Arrangements by Milam Funeral and Cremation Services 311 S. Main Street Gainesville, FL 32601 352-376-5361.