Donald Lawrence

His father moved the family to Tuscaloosa, where he spent most of his childhood. He graduated from Tuscaloosa High School in 1965, where he had met and fell in love with Patsy, who would eventually become his wife of 55 years. He then attended the University of Alabama, where he earned a B.S. degree in Industrial Relations.

Upon graduation, he married his high school sweetheart, Patricia Sue Smelley, on August 9, 1969. Don went on to serve as Director of Payroll for the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, where he retired after 28 years of service. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, vegetable gardening, and the company of family and friends at the family farm in Fayette. He enjoyed listening to Alabama football on the radio on Saturdays in a dove field. He also enjoyed working on small engines and auto mechanics, and in particular, tinkering with old Ford Broncos. He was known and recognized for decades in the Tuscaloosa/Northport area for being seen about town in his 1976 solid midnight blue Bronco. One of his proudest achievements was the organization of Harris Creek Hunting Club in Fayette County, Alabama, in 1985, where he served as its Founder and President until passing the reins to his son in 2021, where it continues to this day. Scores of family members, friends, and acquaintances have spent and continue to spend countless days hunting and making memories within the swamps and hills of its bounds. He was a conservationist sacrificing many hours and resources managing the wildlife, fields, and forests on his beloved family farm and hunting club.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Fulmer Hill and Grace Howell Lawrence.

He is survived by his wife Patricia Smelley Lawrence; sister Sherri Romain; son Scott(Stephanie) Lawrence; daughter Jennifer (Kells) Tindell; granddaughter Tiphani (Justin) Gay, and two great-grandchildren, Crawford and Sullivan Gay.

There will be a private graveside service on August 7 at 11 a.m. at Memory Hill Gardens in Tuscaloosa.

Pallbearers will be Scott Lawrence, Kells Tindell, Justin Gay, Todd Kirby, Nathan Worrell, and Bobby Worrell.