The Newspaper of Record since 1878
Lawrence Wendell Knowlton was born October 10, 1939 in Springerville, Arizona. His father was Harry Glenn Knowlton and his mother was Vida (Elsie) Knowlton. Lawrence was number three of five children (Harry Glenn II, Sylvia Adeline, Kenneth Sylvester, and Merwin Leroy) born to Harry and Elsie.
In October of 1949, Lawrence made public his desire to follow Jesus at the age of 10 years old; the hymn “Where He Leads Me I will Follow” was sung as he put on his Lord in baptism. Lawrence understood that he made a vow to God that day and he spent his life in faithful service. In the summer of 1955, he preached his first full length sermon for the Church of Christ in Miami, Arizona while the local preacher was on vacation, and has been preaching ever since.
While attending Globe High School, Lawrence began dating June Smitch and they were united in marriage on July 6, 1958 at the Miami Church of Christ. Lawrence served in the U.S. Army from 1963 to 1965 and was stationed in Korea where he helped plant a Church of Christ congregation which continues to provide a place where men and women in the military can meet and worship to this day. His military service made his career in the Arizona Highway Patrol seem like a natural fit where he served for several years before resigning to be more active in business activities with his brothers. At this time Lawrence and June lived in Phoenix, Arizona where they adopted a baby girl they named Joy, in 1967 and a little over 5 years later where blessed with the addition of two-year-old bundle of energy named Scott.
Lawrence continued his dedication to the Lord in whatever community he and June found themselves in serving as an elder, preacher, counselor, missionary, bible yeacher, speaking on radio, establishing bus programs, holding gospel meetings, as well as conducting countless weddings and funeral services while holding a variety of secular jobs to provide his family with the necessities of life. The highlight of his preaching and teaching was realized in his Spanish speaking work beginning in El Mirage, Arizona and continued to many different areas of the United States and Mexico.
Lawrence service to the Lord came full circle as he and June returned home to Miami Church of Christ in 2013 where he was blessed to serve as minister and continue to do what he loved most for the final years of his life.
Lawrence and June were happily married for fifty-seven years, and he gave the most dedicated tender loving care to his wife as she struggled with serious health issues in her final years, until she passed away on August 14, 2015. Shortly after her passing Lawrence suffered a heart attack but he fought hard to regain his health to be able to continue his work. He was diagnosed with lung cancer in May of this year, another battle he was preparing to face, but he suffered complications during a hospital procedure in July and was unable to recover.
Lawrence entered into rest at 12:00 P.M. on Sunday July 30, in Phoenix, AZ with his daughter and son at his bed side. He is survived by his daughter, Joy Knowlton; and son, Scott Knowlton, both of Phoenix, AZ; one grandson, Carson Turner, also of Phoenix, AZ; One sister; Sylvia Nelson, of Phoenix, AZ; two brothers, Kenneth Knowlton, of Safford, AZ and Merwin Knowlton, of Globe, AZ.
If one word could be used to sum up Lawrence’s life it would be FAITHFUL. Lawrence was always Faithful. Faithful to God, Country, Family, and Friends. All whose lives have been blessed by knowing Lawrence will greatly miss his influence, presence, and love. We Love You Brother, Father, Grandfather, Uncle, Friend.
