James Verl Lawrence

James Verl Lawrence, 102, passed away peacefully on September 15, 2025 at his home just four days shy of his 103rd birthday. He was born on September 19, 1922, in Calumet, MO to Hovey and Nellie (Cummings) Lawrence. He grew up in Louisiana, MO and graduated from Louisiana High School. James moved to Oak Ridge, TN which at the time was called “The Secret City” during WWII where the atomic bomb was being developed. He worked there as a welder. He met his wife Lorene Lawson, they married in Rossville, GA on January 24, 1948, and moved to Kenosha, WI in 1949. James worked at American Motors as a welder and Union Stewart and retired from Chrysler in1983. James and his wife Lorene celebrated 76 years of marriage before she passed away on November 14, 2024. 

James was strong in his Christian beliefs and values and was devoted to his family. He and his wife were members of the Kenosha Christian Fellowship Church. He enjoyed singing gospel and bluegrass music, watching football, working in his yard, spending time with his family and friends at Golden Corral, and beating anyone who would play him in Rummy.

His passing will be mourned deeply by everyone who knew and loved him. James was survived by five children; Sherry (Jerry) Debold of Missouri, George (Kristy) Lawrence and Jim Ray (Harriet) Lawrence of Tennessee, Kathy (Donnie) Holman and Rhonda (Kenny) Moore of Kenosha, Wisconsin; 15 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; 9 great great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. 

James is preceded in death by his wife Lorene, son Alan Lawrence, granddaughter Jocinda Lawrence Martin, James’ siblings: Delsa Virginia Lawrence, Helen (Monk) Beadle, George 

(Polly) Lawrence, Margie (Dave) Stevens, Gertrude (Mack) McFadden, Dixie (Loren) Aker, and Tommy Lawrence. The whole family would like to express their gratitude to James’ caregiver Teresa Zabiegala Brinkman. 

Services for James were held privately on Wednesday September 17th, 2025, at Sunset Ridge Memorial Park.

Casey Family Options Funerals & Cremations

3016 75^th Street Kenosha WI 53142

262-653-0667

www.caseyfamilyoptions.com