Hardy Lawrence

Hardy "Gus" Lawrence, Jr. passed away to his heavenly home on February 20, 2012, passing away peacefully with his family at his side, from complications of heart failure and pneumonia, at the age of 77. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Evelyn Ricks Lawrence, daughter, Amanda Ellen Silvas and her fianc', Daniel Langlinais, granddaughter, Kacie Lynn Silvas, one sister, Barbara Coker and her husband, Ken of River Ridge, LA, two nephews, Kevin Coker and wife Lisa of Amite, LA and Kent Coker and wife Rebecca of San Antonio, TX, two great nephews, Austin and Colin Coker and one great niece, April Coker. Gus was a 50 year member of the Masonic Lodge, being a plural member of Examplar and Hope Lodges in Lafayette. A celebration of his life will be held at 10:00 am on Thursday, February 23, 2012 at Delhomme Funeral Home on Bertrand Drive in Lafayette. Reverend Beau Guidry will conduct the funeral services. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm. Masonic Rites will be held after funeral services in the Delhomme Chapel of the Flowers. Pastor Beau Guidry and his wife Olivia will sing I'll Fly Away and Gloria Cheramie will sing The Anchor Holds. Graveside services will be held 3:00 pm at Arcola-Roseland Cemetery in Roseland, LA. Hospitality will follow the graveside services at the home of Mrs. Barbara Coker on Hwy 10. Gus was in the dairy industry all of his life, operating his own dairy farm at the age of 15. After graduating from Southeastern in dairy manufacturing, he worked with the LA state department of agriculture and later with the Borden Co. for 40 years, mostly as a plant manager. One of his proudest accomplishments was 12 straight years of 100% ratings on plant inspections by the department of agriculture, being the only plant in the nation to receive this. In 1978, he was honored at LSU as outstanding dairy processor and has his picture in the "Hall of Fame" in the LSU department of agriculture. Gus spent many years in service to others as a Lions Club member and Shriner. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Milton, LA and considered the congregation his extended family. He attended regularly and especially enjoyed his Men's Sunday School Class and Thursday morning prayer meetings with potluck lunch afterwards. His greatest desire and one he often prayed for, was to see people know his Savior Jesus. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Chaplain Lawrence Gautreaux, Chris Stelly and Val Hellickson for helping to take care of Gus during his illness. Gus enjoyed many activities over the years such as wood working, hunting, fishing and boating. But his greatest treasure was his family and shortly before his death stated that a man knowing the Savior and having a good family were the most important things in life. He will be greatly missed but we have comfort in knowing we will meet again. Goodnight, I love you, sleep tight, and don't let the bed bugs bite. I'll see you in the morning. Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Lawrence's name to the Gideon Bible Society at P.O. Box 140800, Nashville, TN, 37214. Personal condolences may be sent to the Lawrence family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com. Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA, is in charge of funeral arrangements. .

Hardy Lawrence

June 21, 1934 - February 20, 2012