Tony Lawrence, 79, of Escalon, CA passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on April 19, 2018. Tony was born at home on Nov. 30, 1938 in Palo Alto to Joseph and Frances Lawrence. He was raised and worked on their family dairy in Dos Palos. He enlisted in the US Army at the age of 17 and continued in the reserves until 1963. He lived in Palo Alto after he returned from the Army, worked in various jobs and married his love, Carol Stohl, in 1961. They lived in Santa Clara where they raised their three children.
Tony and Carol opened their own business, Lawrence Tire Service, in 1973 in Mt. View and expanded their business to Palo Alto and Santa Clara. He was a dedicated member of the Portuguese community and a two-time President of the SFV Lodge in Mt. View, where Tony spent most of his time when he wasn’t working.
Tony and Carol moved to Escalon in 1983. In 1989, Tony built his dream tire shop in Escalon where he again was an active member of several business organizations; President of the Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Elks Lodge for almost 50 years and was honored as Citizen of the Year in Escalon in 1999.
Tony was full of life, always loved a good party and had a laugh that filled the room. He loved his family and friends, playing golf, cards, hanging out with buddies in Pismo and going to lunches. Summers were spent at their cabin on Lake Tulloch, Sundays were made for watching his favorite football team, the 49ers. He was most proud of his seven grandchildren. He will be missed by all that knew him, but will live forever in our hearts.
Tony is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Carol Lawrence, his mother, Frances Marks, his children, Toni Saldivar (Greg), Kevin Lawrence and Cindy Davies (Mike), his grandchildren, Kevin, Matthew (Lauren), Sarah Saldivar, Samantha, Bryan and Justin Lawrence and Nicholas Davies. Tony also leaves behind his sisters, Rosemarie Pereira (Claude) and Eileen Long and his brothers, Alfred and Albert Marks. Tony is preceded in death by his father, Joseph Lawrence, his Step-Father, Alfred Marks and his sisters, Pauline Anderson, Frances Flores and Josephine Lunsford.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Deegan Funeral Chapel. A visitation is scheduled for Thursday, April 26 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Deegan Chapel, 1441 San Joaquin St. in Escalon. Recitation of the rosary will be Friday, April 27 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 19399 E. Highway 120 in Ripon, followed by mass at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Community Hospice.
The Escalon (Calif.) Times
April 25, 2018