Lawrence Moxie Blanford, age 60, of Detroit, Michigan, passed away in peace on December 25, 2017. He was born the 1st twin on February 19, 1957, in Detroit, Michigan, to Albert Pruitt and Alberta Mercer-Blanford. He is the beloved twin brother of Louis Blanford and Yolanda Blanford-Andrews (Sileester R. Andrews Jr.). Cherished uncle of: Vrenetta, Jacqueline, James, Elton Jr., Micah, Tomeco, Cliffton, Starla, and Colin, a host of nieces, nephews, loved ones and friends. He was preceded in death by his father Albert Pruitt, siblings: Alton “Sonny” Blanford, Willie Mae Bennett’el, and Michael Blanford.
Lawrence was a real man, the life of the party, a hard worker and funny to boot. He graduated from St. Martin DePorres High School in 1975 and enlisted in the US Army (unbeknownst to his mother). He served his country for 3 years and was honorably discharged.
He was a gifted artist who could draw characters that seemed to come alive from the pages of his sketch books. He loved to draw superheroes freehand using charcoal pencils. He was an avid chess player and would play multilevel chess matches online.
Dance the night away? My God he would dance with you until you said “I’m done!” If you had the desire, he had the moves! He loved to dress up and show up, fly and ready to hit the floor. From the first song played until the last call he was on the dance floor. No wallflowers were left when he was at a party!
He was a hard worker all of his life up until his passing. His co-workers said Lawrence brought life to the work. It was more enjoyable and livelier when he was around, he changed the atmosphere somehow. He believed in making folks comfortable with a funny joke, he had a nickname for everyone and could keep you in stiches all day long if you could handle it.
He helped his brother Michael and mother Alberta during their illnesses prior to leaving us. Lawrence passed away after work one day. He laid down and suffered a heart attack. It was unexpected and we feel as though it was yesterday.
Although he enlisted in the army his 1st love was no more evident than when he was engaged in flight. He could lose hours in realistic flight simulator games challenging his foes and duking it out with online friends. He loved to brag about his wins! He created his own flight room in his home and flew daily missions where he prominently displayed this poem:
High Flight, by John Gillespie Magee, Jr. (1922-1941)
Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth,
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I’ve climbed and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds — and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of — wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there
I’ve chased the shouting wind along and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long delirious burning blue
I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace,
Where never lark, or even eagle, flew;
And, while with silent, lifting mind I’ve trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.
Today we honor our brother by sending him on his final mission to fly high with God and loved ones that have gone before him. We love you. Well done my brother. Fly, Fly, Fly.
A memorial gathering will be held on Wednesday, August 14, 2019 commencing at 10 AM with memorial service at 11 AM at Resurrection Funeral Home, 40800 Hayes Road, Clinton Township, Michigan, 48038.
Lorris Upshaw Jr., Officiating Pastor
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, Detroit, Michigan. Link to their website is below.
