Tributes for village bowls club stalwart Douglas Lawrence
A bowls and football fanatic from Shropshire has died aged 92. Family and friends will be paying their respects to Douglas Lawrence at his funeral today.
Mr Lawrence, who was born in Malpas on the Shropshire/Cheshire border in 1920, died at Cliffdale Nursing Home, in Pontesbury, near Shrewsbury, on January 30.
He was well known in the county, having been district manager of Royal Liver Insurance Company in Shrewsbury and secretary for the Shrewsbury and District Football League for 25 years.
He was also an expert in crown green bowls, making 101 appearances for Shropshire and spending time as chairman of the Shropshire Bowling League.
The funeral was taking place at Emstrey Crematorium, in London Road, from noon with donations being collected for the Severn Hospice.
Mr Lawrence moved to Broseley, near Telford, at the age of 10.
He was called up to the Army at 20 but was diagnosed with tuberculosis. He lived the rest of his life with only one lung.
He moved to Hanwood, near Shrewsbury, where he met his late wife Dorothy Blakemore and they had three children Pat, Barry and John. He also leaves five grandchildren.
Son Barry, 64, who will read a eulogy at the funeral, said: "He started bowling for Hanwood in 1952 and never really stopped – it was definitely his main passion and his escape from things.
"He was a very able person and very mentally sharp which he remained right up until his last days. He was the most extremely honest man I have ever met."
As well as his children Mr Lawrence leaves five grandchildren, Simon, Matt, Ben, Abigail and Josh.
