He began his lifelong career of landscaping as a teenager with his childhood friend, Ron Ahlman. College took him to University of IL at Navy Pier, and he then graduated with a degree in Landscape Architecture from University of Illinois at Champaign.
It was in Champaign that he met the love of his life, Charlotte Bender, who became his wife of 66 years in 1955. He served in the Army in Arizona from 1956-1958, and then started Lawrence and Ahlman Landscaping in 1959.
Children Jeff (Angie), Amy, and Jay (Marla) were born 1961-1965, and then grandchildren Zach (Caitlin), Dylan (Arielle), Matt, Sarah, Shanah and Seth and great grandson Finley. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He was also a loving uncle to many.
Lawrence and Ahlman grew to be one of the largest landscape contracting companies in the Midwest, with jobs in Massachusetts, North Carolina, Florida, Minnesota, Indiana, Iowa, and of course, Illinois. They won national recognition for their work, and received awards at the White House from Lady Bird Johnson and from Pat Nixon.
Clarence was a loyal friend and relative. He was the first to provide friendship, companionship, and assistance to those that needed his help. Before he lost his own, he was a champion and a lifeline for those without their independence.
Clarence was the biggest personality in the room. His laughter echoed and his smile lit up everyplace he entered. People were drawn to his magnetism. Clarence dreamed and thought big…with work and at home, his motto of “bigger is better” served his lifestyle well.
He loved his fitness class, bike riding, golf, food, ice cream, dessert, gin and tonics, travel, the Cubs, the Bears, the Bulls, tailgating, and most of all, his family. Clarence never met a happy hour that he didn’t like.
Clarence is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Sylvan. He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, great grandson, and his many nieces and nephews. He is currently planning a tailgate party for us all.
