Irving Gerald Lawrence

Irving Gerald “Gerry” Lawrence passed away on December 29, 2024. Gerry was born on November 3, 1935, in Perry, Florida to Leon Lawrence and Allie Slaughter Lawrence. During his early years, he became a member of the Boy Scouts of America. Gerry achieved the rank of Eagle Scout with 3 Palms and was honored with membership in the Order of the Arrow. As an adult, he became an Eagle Scout Mentor, as an advisor to aspiring Eagle Scouts.

Gerry graduated from Taylor County High School in 1953. While in high school, he played football and was a member of the 1953 NFC Championship Football Team, and he played the baritone horn in the Taylor County High School Band.

After graduating high school, Gerry attended Stetson University where he received is BA Degree in Political Science. Continuing his love of music, he played baritone horn and tuba in the Stetson band and earned himself a scholarship. While attending Stetson University, Gerry was a member of the Pi Kappa Phi social fraternity and the Kappa Kappa Psi Band Fraternity.

While at Stetson, Gerry enrolled in the Army ROTC Corps and received the honors of Distinguished Military Student and Distinguished Military Graduate. He was inducted into the Scabbard and Blade Honorary Military Society. He was awarded the Isaac Bonifay Scabbard and Blade Award as the most outstanding military cadet in the corps. Upon his graduation from Stetson in 1957, Gerry was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army where he served on active duty for two years, followed by eight years in the army reserve, attaining the rank of Captain.

In 1960, Gerry married his soulmate and life partner Harriet Steinmetz. They settled in Brandon and were a vital part of that community for the next 54 years when Harriet passed away.

In 1962 Gerry was awarded his Juris Doctor Degree from Stetson University Law School, where he was a member of the Pi Alpha Delta Legal Fraternity. While in law school, Gerry worked the night shift full time as a Police Officer in the South Pasadena Police Department to help finance his education.

Gerry was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1962 and was subsequently admitted to practice before the 5th and 10th Circuit Courts of Appeal. During his legal career, Gerry served as a substitute Municipal Judge for the City of Tampa and served as an Assistant State Attorney as the Chief of the Trial Division. Gerry also donated his time to serve as a pro-bono Counsel for the Police Athletic League and the Hillsborough County Volunteer Firefighter’s Association.

Gerry was also a Certified Mediator and Arbitrator in both state and federal courts and was a Panel Member of the American Arbitration Association Panel of Neutrals as both a Mediator and Arbitrator. He was a member of the Florida Academy of Trial Lawyers and the Florida Academy of Certified Mediators.

Gerry served as President and as a Director of the Ybor City Lions Club, receiving the coveted “Lion of the Year Award”. He ran the Greater Tampa Lions Eyesight Fund and was also active in Wreaths Across America, placing wreaths on the graves of deceased service members at the Florida National Cemetery.

For relaxation and enjoyment, Gerry was a member of the Big Bull Georgia Hunt Club and was an avid hunter and fisherman. His spiritual home was Congregation Beth Shalom of Brandon, where he was an active participant in annual fundraisers, garnering sponsors and making contributions.

Gerry was predeceased by his parents, Leon and Allie Lawrence; sister, Juanita Hubbard; wife, Harriet. He is survived by his son, David Lawrence of Brandon; daughter, Sharon Crawford, of Murfreesboro, Tennessee; grandchildren, Christopher Wethington and wife, Ashley, Chelsea Simonen and husband, Jason, Jacob Crawford and fiancée, Candace Boyce; and great-grandchildren, Gracelynn, Theodore, and Judah Daniel.

A visitation for Irving will be held 2-4 p.m. Sunday, January 5, 2025 at Stowers Funeral Home, 401 West Brandon Boulevard, Brandon, Florida. A funeral service will occur 10 a,m, Monday, January 6, 2025 at the funeral home. Interment to follow at 12:30 p.m. in Florida National Cemetery, 6502 Southwest 102nd Avenue, Bushnell, Florida.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Wounded Warriors Project in our Dad’s name.