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Submitted: 7/29/23 • Approved: 7/29/23 • Last Updated: 8/1/23 • R438370-G0-S3
SEAMAN FIRST CLASS US Navy
World War II
May 13, 1927 - January 8, 2014
Captain Milford F Lawrence, Jr, age 86, of Winnfield passed away Wednesday, January 8, 2014 at Northeast Louisiana War Veterans Home, where he had been a resident for two years.
Mr Lawrence was born May 13, 1927 in Winnfield, Louisiana. He was the son of Milford F "Pop" Lawrence, Sr and Edna Lee Stevens Lawrence.
Mr Lawrence joined the Navy at age 17 and served our country for two years until the end of World War II. He then went to New Orleans and began working for Haguland Barge Lines as a deck hand. He worked there for 15 years working his way up from a deck hand to a Captain within a years time.
Captain Lawrence then worked as a trip-pilot for many years. Then Captain Lawrence began working for Exxon. He was the captain of the Exxon St Louis their newest boat. His route was from Baytown, Texas to Joliet, Illinois pushing barges. He worked there for 20 years and took an early retirement. Captain Lawrence applied for a job with Delta Queen Steamboat Company where he was hired instantly. He was Captain on the Delta Queen and the Mississippi Queen. Captain Lawrence had a license for any gross ton on the Mississippi River. He became a Legend on the Mississippi River as being one of the best Captains ever.
He fathered two children and is survived by wife Beatrice Mitcham Lawrence and two step children and his brother Bobby Ray Lawrence and wife Sylvia of Harrisonburg, Arkansas.
A graveside service was held at 2:00 o'clock pm on Thursday, January 16, 2014 at the Old Winnfield Cemetery with Rev Bruce Cardin Officiating. A 21 gun salute was performed in his honor by the Color Guard. Captain Lawrence was interned beside his mother.
Contributed on 7/29/23 by debbraszymanski
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Record #: 438370