Rodney Owen Lawrence

In Loving Memory of

Rodney Owen Lawrence

Rodney Owen Lawrence, 84 died peacefully at home Sunday morning, July 10, 2016 after a brief illness complicated by Alzheimer's disease. Born in New Orleans, LA. September 27, 1931, he was a Vietnam veteran whose 22 years career as an aviator in the United States Marine Corps gave him the opportunity to fly high and fast. He was privileged to command Marine Squadron VMFA-251 and Marine Squadron VMFA-232 and MAWTULANT. Notable among awards he received were 15 Air Medals and the Republic of Nam Gallantry Cross w/Bronze Star. He was preceded in death by his parents, Sam Grady Lawrence and Olga Ponamsky Lawrence and his brother, Donald A. Lawrence. He was a graduate of the College of William and Mary where he met his wife of 62 years, Temple Snidow Lawrence. He is survived by three children of whom he was immensely proud. Susan Tyler Lawrence (Thom Stroud) of Newport, NC, John Grady Lawrence of Winchester, VA and Dr. Emily Christian Lawrence (Herman Dent) of Radford and his grandchildren, John Moses Nester (Leah) of Charlotte, NC and Samuel (Sam) Lawrence Dent and Margaret Ann (Maggie) Dent of Radford. Following his retirement from the Marine Corps, he became a real estate broker and appraiser operating as Appraisal Associates of the New River Valley until his second retirement in 1999. He was a member of the Giles County Historical Society and a past president of the New River Valley Association of Realtors and the Giles County Chamber of Commerce. During his illness, he was the beneficiary of excellent and compassionate medical care from the staff at Lewis-Gale Hospital, Radford Health and Rehab Center and Carilion New River Valley Hospice for which his family is very grateful. Plans for a private memorial service are pending. Online condolences can be sent to the family at givensfuneralhome.com.