Lawrence Oliver

Lawrence Oliver died on July 7, 2023 at the age of 92. He was born in Newton, Kansas to Elizabeth and Ralph Oliver and lived there until he went away to college. He attended what was called Bethany Peniel College (now Southern Nazarene University) in Bethany, Oklahoma. It was there that he met Bess Jones who he married at the age of nineteen. Lawrence transferred to Kansas State University after two years in order to complete a degree in Electrical Engineering. After graduating he moved with Bess to China Lake, California where he worked as an engineer while Bess worked as a chemist.

Eventually the Newton, Kansas draft board insisted that Lawrence join the armed forces so he signed up with the Navy and qualified for Officer Candidate School (OCS). After OCS and some additional training, he was assigned to serve our country near Honolulu, Hawaii. After his stint in the Navy and Hawaii he returned to the mainland settling briefly back in China Lake. He then took a job at the Advanced Technology Department of the Naval Weapons Evaluation Facility (NWEF) at Kirtland Airforce Base in Albuquerque. He worked at NWEF until retirement; first as an engineer and then as a director of the department.

Lawrence’s activities outside of work were numerous since it was hard for him to hold still. He was heavily involved in his churches (First Church of the Nazarene and First United Methodist Church). He served as a music director and board member at the Nazarene church. When the church decided to hire, and pay for a music director he became the director of the childrens’ choir among other things. He was also a performer-he sang in church choirs, sang solos and even directed and starred in plays in his churches.

Lawrence was also the Scout Master for Troop 81 and led his scouts on many hikes and campouts. He found meaning in influencing the lives of boys growing into manhood. His love of nature was accompanied with his love of photography. After he got his first telephoto lens he was an unstoppable photographer. His vacations with his family always took him to national and state parks and he produced some photographs that were purchased and appreciated by others. People enjoyed his slide shows, especially the segments that were set to music. Lawrence also did portraits and photographed weddings. Lawrence was very much a family man and enjoyed time camping, backpacking, and hiking with his wife and three children. They camped from California to Washington, DC to Maine, to the Pacific Northwest, to Alaska, to the Yukon and to Canada. He enjoyed staying in shape by running, bicycling, and by playing volleyball and softball. These activities kept him in shape to climb mountains. He challenged himself to climb the highest peaks in each of the western states. He found Wyoming to be his biggest challenge. Lawrence also climbed 14ers in Colorado, taking along anyone who was able and willing. Eventually he climbed the 5 highest peaks in the lower 48.

Lawrence retired from NWEF at the age of 55 and decided to take some engineering and computer classes at UNM. Since he was a student he was also able to sing in one of the many music ensembles at the university. The director was Harry Hook who happened to be the organist at the Methodist Church.

Lawrence and Bess were able to fulfill a lifelong dream of moving to Colorado. He and Bess built a house and ran Silverwood Bed and Breakfast in Divide, CO which is west of Colorado Springs, CO for 25 years. He loved living in the mountains and particularly loved snowy days. He also kept busy singing in the Mountain View Methodist Church in Divide and also directed the childrens’ choir at that church. Lawrence’s brother and sister and their spouses also moved to the mountains and lived nearby and they enjoyed being able to spend time with each other. During these years, Lawrence and Bess also enjoyed travels to Antarctica, Africa, Nova Scotia, and Greenland to name a few. Always with a camera around his neck.

Eventually Lawrence and Bess decided that they needed to move themselves off of the mountain while they were still able to do so and moved back to Albuquerque where they had many friends and family. Lawrence became a member of Saint John’s United Methodist Church and their choir. He was also a member of the Joy Singers which is a choir for seniors at the church. He and Bess enjoyed walks along the river, attending music events and spending time with family and friends.

Lawrence is survived by his two daughters Laurie and Cindy, his sister Beverly, his nephews and nieces and his “adopted” family Stan, Barbra, Savannah, Abby and Gigi Whitaker. His wife Bess, his son Brad and his daughter-in-law Kathryn preceded him in death.

Laurie and Cindy would like to thank The Montebello for taking care of and appreciating Lawrence and Bess. Services for Lawrence will be held on August 19, 2023 at 10AM, at Saint Johns United Methodist Church. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Lawrence’s name, to the Brad Oliver Physicians Assistant Endowment Fund at Point Loma Nazarene University (www.pointloma.edu/

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