Frank Homer Lawrence III "Pops"
Frank Homer Lawrence III "Pops", avid boater, car collector, extraordinarily generous and loyal friend to many and devoted husband to Barbara (Bobbi), passed away peacefully Wednesday morning. “Ain’t none of us get out of here alive.” He was fond of saying during his 81 years.
Pops was truly larger than life and shared his incredible sense of humor and “Pops-isms” with everyone. “If I was any better, I’d need two of me.” He grew up on his granddaddy’s dairy farm in Ringgold, graduated from Ringgold High School and The University of Georgia. He married Barbara, his high school sweetheart, and for 61 years the two of them set a stunning example of love, devotion, and the value of family.
He was a true patriarch that made every member of his family—new, old, near or far feel like close family with both his love and unceasing generosity. That quality was of course shared with friends but so many times with people he would see who just simply needed a hand. This genuine care for people, his work ethic and charisma was also the key to his long and very successful career in the chemical business. “We’re blucky.” (Blessed and lucky.) As he would say.
It’s hard to think of Pops without mentioning the great times spent on one of the many beautiful boats affectionately named “My Bobbi” which he meticulously maintained and effortlessly captained over the years. And, as you might guess, everyone was always welcome to go for a cruise, with some of the most memorable occurring on rainy days and Christmas Day. If not on “My Bobbi” you might find Pops either on the golf course or attending or showing one of his collector cars at area car shows—several of which he won.
Born in 1943 to the late Frank Homer Lawrence II and Willena Nance, survivors include his wife and “earth angel” of 61 years, Barbara Jean Bromley Lawrence; his children, Tony Lawrence (Janet) and Jeana Johnson (Joe); his brother, Mickey Lawrence (Donna); his grandchildren, Jansen Lawrence, Keelan Lawrence, Lanna Edwards (Ryan), and Lillian Fink (Ryan); nieces, nephews, and a large and amazing group of friends, Many of them were fortunate enough to witness Pops steal the show recently while gracefully leading Lanna and Lilly, his granddaughters in touching grandfather/granddaughter wedding dances.
His family finds so much comfort knowing he lived every day of his life to the fullest, as he always said, “This ain’t no dress rehearsal!”
A celebration of life will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Monday, July 22, at Heritage Funeral Home 7454 E. Brainerd Road with a closing prayer at 7 p.m. by Ryan Fink.
Memorial contributions may be made to CHI Memorial Hospital, 2525 deSales Avenue, Chattanooga, Tn. 37404 or Siskin Rehabilitation Hospital, 1 Siskin Drive, Chattanooga, Tn. 37403.
You may share condolences with the family at www.heritagechattanooga.com
Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 E. Brainerd Road.