James Lawrence

MADISON- James "Jimmy" George Lawrence returned to the Great Spirit on Saturday, April 18, 2015 at the age 84 years. He was born in Madison, son of George Leo and Amanda Mary (Faust) Lawrence.

Jimmy graduated from Edgewood High School in 1949. He joined the R.O.T.C. program and earned a degree in Commerce from the University Of Wisconsin- Madison in 1954. Jimmy became a second Lieutenant in the Army Signal Corps upon graduation and was stationed at Fort Eustis, VA, then Camp Polk, LA, and finally Tobyhanna Army Signal Depot in Tobyhanna, PA. Jimmy was discharged from the Army as a First Lieutenant.

In Tobyhanna, Jimmy met his wife of 58 years, Joan Frances Vlossak. Joan was working as a teller in a bank where Jimmy went to cash a check. He was so struck by her, that he asked a friend at the bank to arrange a blind date. When Jimmy arrived for his date, Joan ran upstairs to change out of her high heels into flat shoes so she wouldn't be taller than her date. Jimmy and Joan were married in Mt. Pocono, PA on June 8, 1957. In September of that year, Jimmy went on to law school in Madison where he earned a law degree in 1960. Joan and Jimmy became parents to James Brett (Skippy) in 1966, and welcomed a second son, Barton George (Snooterfoot) in 1968.

After earning his law degree, Jimmy worked in a private practice with Don Abraham, Jack McManus, and Don Pressentin, then went on to work in the City Attorney's Office in Madison. After several years in the Public Service Commission, Jimmy became an Administrative Law Judge in the Department of Workman's Compensation. He remained as a highly respected Law Judge until his retirement in April 2000.

Jimmy was an intelligent, talented man who was very accomplished in everything he did. He loved music, especially old time jazz and Dixieland jazz. As a youth, he studied the trumpet and became a musician in several bands in the Madison area during his high school and college years. After entering the Army, Jimmy played in an Army band as well. In recent years, he was learning to play the piano. Jimmy loved repairing and driving old cars. Through the years he owned a Model T Ford, 1941 Ford, 1946 Ford, 1953 Packard, and his prized 1937 Lincoln Zephyr. He was an avid member of the Lincoln Zephyr Owners Club and a huge dog lover. Jimmy had many dogs through his entire life including his last, Bentley. He also loved riding in his boats which he had fully restored, a 1956 Larson Falls Flyer. He had a great love and admiration of American Indians and their culture. He also enjoyed taxidermy, whip making, whip cracking, western hats, joke writing, bowsmithing, archery, pistol/target shooting, dog training, bead working, quill working and building and flying radio controlled model airplanes.

Dad was a kind, caring, sensitive, generous man who was always there for us whenever we needed him. There wasn't anything Jimmy wouldn't have done for his family, especially his sons. He helped them through the bad times, and created many fond memories as well. His kindness, compassion and generosity will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his wife, Joan Frances Lawrence, his son, Barton George Lawrence; sister, Jacqueline "Jaci" (Jerry) Roscoe; nephew Larry Roscoe; niece Kathryn (Tom) Germanotta and their children Dominic, Santino "Sonny", and Giana "Gigi".
Jimmy was preceded in death by his son, James Brett Lawrence.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held BLESSED SACRAMENT CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2115 Rowley Ave, Madison on Monday, May 4, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass. Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery. A luncheon for family and friends will take place following Mass.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, you send a contribution to the James Brett Lawrence Music Scholarship Fund thru the Madison Area Technical College Foundation and West High School.
The family wishes to thank the St. Mary's Hospital staff and the Dean Clinic on Fish Hatchery Road for all of their kindness and support.

Cress Funeral and Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road, Madison
(608) 238-3434