Bobby Joe Lawrence

If you were to ask Bob, he would be proud to say he was born in Hardin, Kentucky to James and Katie (Jackson) on May 16, 1938. His family moved to Detroit at age 5 and to Romeo while he was still in high school. He attended Detroit’s Wilbur Wright High school and graduated from Romeo High School in 1957.

Bob loved to talk about his career. He worked for Sanders Candy at the Highland Park chocolate factory before serving in the U.S. Army as a radio operator stationed in Panama. Returning to Detroit he apprenticed at Fisher Body, becoming a Journeyman Tool & Die Maker working at Plants 21, 23 and finally the General Motors Tech Center where he spent 20 years before retiring in 2004.

He would say he found the girl of his dreams marrying his wife Marlyn in 1966. Bob was a loving husband, father and grandfather, and a kind friend to all.

Bob is survived by his brother Jerry and sisters Patricia and Linda, his wife Marlyn (Lewandowski), their two sons David and Dale, Daughters-in-law Della (Boehle) and Gina (DiPonio), and granddaughters Katharine and Madeline.

Visitation will be held from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 2, 2014 at Pixley Funeral Home, 322 West University, Rochester, Michigan. Funeral services will take place 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 3, 2014, at St. Mary of the Hills Parish, 2675 John R, Rochester Hills, Michigan. Visitation will start 30 minutes before services at the church.

Memorial contributions are welcome and may be sent to Henry Ford Health System Office of Philanthropy, Liver Cancer Research, 1 Ford Place - 5A, Detroit, MI 48202-3405