Obituary of John Kennedy Lawrence

John Kennedy Lawrence, 86, of Hilton Head Island, peacefully passed away on Saturday, August 18, 2018 surrounded by his closest loved ones. He was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA with four siblings Bob, Jeanne, Peg, and Kay. John served 22 years in the USAF, graduating in 1954 from the four-year officer pilot training school now known as the Air Force Academy. He was promoted throughout his military career and after a tour of duty in Danang Vietnam was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. He started a 2nd career in the financial industry working as a Vice President for Mellon Bank and then Van Kampen American Capital. John and Barbara moved to Hilton Head in 1995 where he became a “duffer” golf enthusiast and in his words “a struggling bridge player”. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Barbara; son John Lawrence and fiancé Denise Spencer, daughter Jennifer Mathis and husband Terry Mathis; four grandchildren, Amanda Mathis and fiancé, Scottie Hendrix, Kelly Lawrence, Savannah Tagget and husband Blake Tagget, and Morgan Lawrence. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, August 24, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Francis by the Sea Catholic Church, 45 Beach City Road, Hilton Head. Inurnment will take place at the Church Columbarium followed by a life celebration reception at the Church Family Center. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Hospice Care of the Lowcountry, P.O. Box 3827, Bluffton, SC 29910. The Island Funeral Home and Crematory. Islandfuneralhome.com.