Paul A. Lawrence

Paul A. Lawrence, Age 70 of Lawton, Michigan, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, November 21, 2023.

Born November 2, 1953 in Chicago, IL, Paul was the son of August and Anne (née Matuszyk) Lawrence. He was raised in the Burbank area and graduated from Reavis High School, Class of 1971. He earned his Associate Degree from Moraine Valley Community College.

On July 25, 1981, Paul attended his high school reunion where he met Cathy Lewis, who was a former classmate; yet they had never met during their high school years. And on July 25, 1987, they were married in Chicago Ridge.

Paul was employed with Atlas Wire, Energy Electric and retired from Graybar Electric in 2021 after 20 years of dedicated service. Paul was always known for constantly staying active and in 2022, he went back to work with Graybar Electric where he was currently employed on a part time basis.

In 2008, Paul and Cathy built a home on Gravel Lake in Lawton, MI, which turned out to be their “Happy Place.” They spent every weekend there and in 2021, they sold their home in Channahon, IL and moved there permanently. Paul’s dream was to own a house on a lake, where he could fish from his backyard. He enjoyed taking Cathy out for a cruise around the lake on their pontoon or find a spot to fish and relax. He will forever be known as the “World’s Okayest Fisherman”.

Paul hosted a yearly gathering with his friends from Graybar and some of the guys would also come up for a weekend getaway to fish, drink and eat. Paul loved to entertain, grill, and spend time with them.

Paul loved trying new recipes on the smoker and sharing with the neighbors.

In his younger years, Paul loved to work on cars and attended many car shows, looking for parts for his 1958 Ford Thunderbird that he was restoring. He collected RC cars and RC boats and enjoyed taking them out doing many maneuvers. He also found time to take his boats to the forest preserves with a lake and launching them.

Paul was a handyman and enjoyed taking on many projects. He prided himself on being able to fix anything.

He was truly a kindhearted man who loved animals and especially dogs. If they were driving along and he saw a turtle in the road, he would stop and pick it up so he could take it to the lake.

He will truly be missed by his family and friends.

Survivors include his loving spouse of 36 years, Cathy (née Lewis) Lawrence; devoted children, Darryn Johnson and Tracie Lawrence; loving grandchildren, Zackary (Nichole) Johnson, Ava Johnson and Stella Johnson; sisters, Georgine (Jerry) Pilip and Mary (William) Vranicar; brother- in-law, Craig Lewis and Tony (Viki) Lewis, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, August and Anne Lawrence and his father and mother in-law, Anthony and Marilyn (née Miller) Lewis.

A visitation will be held on Monday, November 27, 2023 between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at Blackburn-Giegerich-Sonntag Funeral Home, 1500 Black Road, Joliet, IL 60435.

A Catholic Wake service will follow at 6:30p.m. Rev. Anthony Nyamai, officiating.

Per Paul’s wishes, cremation rites will follow the services.

Relatives and friends are encouraged to sign the online guest book by logging onto: www.PleseFuneralservices.com.