Steven Ray Lawrence, born September 12, 1958 to Walter and Agnes Lawrence, died on January 12, 2024 at Ascension Providence Rochester Hospital.
Steve was preceded in death by his parents; stepfather, Atlee Schupbach; siblings, Don Lawrence, Brenda Scheele, Marie Adams, June LaBarge; and grandson, Dylan James Lawrence.
Steve is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Deborah Lawrence; dear siblings, Bob (Marge) Lawrence, Frank (Kathy) Lawrence, Sandy (George) Hartsig, Chris (Catherine) Lawrence, Cheryle (Bill) Prahler, Art (Sharon) Schupbach, Carol (Gene) Arnold, Tammy (John) Potter, Todd (Dawn) Schupbach; devoted children, Dylan (Susan) Lawrence, Derek (Jessica) Hoffman, Bobby (Madalynne) Hoffman, Miles (Melissa) Lawrence, Mason (Adrielle Powers) Lawrence, and Kayla (Jon) Uren; adoring grandchildren, Alex, Jeremy, and Rylee Lawrence, Aiden and Sophie Hoffman, Kaleesi and Aurora Hoffman, Cayde Uren, and Levi Lawrence.
Steve miraculously survived 18-plus years of raising and wrangling six children; he said if they weren’t setting it on fire, they were blowing it up. Steve was a skilled handyman, which came in useful for all the windows, walls, doors, and household appliances his children broke.
He was also a gifted mechanic, which saved countless thousands of dollars on repairs to numerous broken down cars used to transport half of Lake Orion’s teenage population to a variety of soccer, baseball, softball, wrestling, and BMX practices and games. Steve was an especially talented and hardworking engineer – he worked his way up from being hired to do odd jobs, to a draftsman, to an engineer.
Steve’s favorite hobby was the continual home improvement requested by his darling wife; he was referred to as Bob Vila by his daughter-in-law, Maddy, and was lovingly described as the master of jerry-rigging. His stepfather, Atlee, taught him well.
Steve always put his wife and children first. He was a fierce protector and a devoted husband and father. After working 13 hour days, he was never too tired to play catch with the kids, help with school projects, mow the lawn and fix the house, repair bikes and go-karts, or work on Pinewood Derby cars. He took special care of his daughter, Kayla, always making sure that her car was free of snow and well-maintained.
Steve was treasured by his family; we will be forever grateful for the many lessons he taught us and the stories he left us to tell (and tell on) each other. Heaven better have an unlimited supply of Labatt and power tools. Steve’s probably putting WD-40 on the pearly gates right now.
Love you always, Papa.
In lieu of flowers, the family is accepting donations to assist with expenses. Please visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/steve-lawrence to donate. There will also be a donation box at the memorial service for those wishing to contribute.
Steve’s memorial service will be held January 25, 2024 from 5-9 p.m. at the Orion Center, 1335 Joslyn Road, in Lake Orion, MI in Dining Rooms B & C. Food and drinks will be provided; please bring a sense of humor and a great appreciation for the amazing person Steve was.
Arrangements care of Modetz Funeral Home in Orion Township.
Online tributes may be shared at www.modetzfuneralhomes.com.