<p>On a hot Saturday, June 15, 1957, the Lawrence family welcomed their first child, <em>Charles Desmond “Charlie” Lawrence Jr.</em>, into the world and gave it one of the greatest friends you could ever have! Over the coming years, Charlie (or “Chuck,” as he was known) was joined by brothers Scott and Dean, along with sisters Beth and Grace. The fact that Charlie was born in Braintree, MA portended his future path, as General Sylvanus Thayer was born a mile away: West Point was a part of Charlie’s life from the beginning!<br />The Lawrence family was very close, and Charlie was brought up with the traditional “Yankee” values of hard work, love for your family and friends, deeply faithful and a servant to others. The Lawrence family had a history of military service to America. Charlie’s great-great-grandfather was the color bearer for the 6th Massachusetts Regiment in the Civil War, his grandfather tried to join the Army in World War I (the local recruiter knew he was too young and stopped him), an uncle was in the Army during World War II, and Charlie’s father was in post-World War II service with the 503rd Military Police Battalion in Italy and then the 505th Infantry Regiment. This history aligned with what Charlie wanted to do—attend West Point and continue the family tradition of service to the nation.<br />Growing up, Charlie stood out from his peers by his standing in Braintree High School, second in his class of 600 students. Further, as a Boy Scout he diligently worked his way “through the ranks” and made Eagle Scout. Charlie’s leadership and ability to organize was also recognized when he was named to the senior-most staff position in Braintree BS Troop 138. His younger brother Scott fondly looked back on those times and noted Charlie was “the problem-solver who could be depended on for thoughtful advice,” and the Lawrence family was so proud of him when “…he went off into the world to do great things.”<br />Entering USMA with the Class of 1979, Charlie underwent the usual rigors of the “Old Corps” Beast Barracks. After Beast he was assigned to C-3 and immediately began making new lifelong friends. As his yearling roommate said, “…more than anything else, what got me through that year was the good fortune of having Charlie Lawrence as my roommate for half of it. He literally had me laughing from the moment the alarm went off every morning (Charlie’s “salute” to the clock remains a classic) until lights out.” After the Corps scramble in 1977, Charlie arrived in B-4 and again made lifelong friends.<br />In B-4 he immediately impressed his companymates with his sincerity, loyalty, belief in God, sage advice and sense of humor. Several times late at night the plebes were scared to death as a parade of ghostly “Maggots” moaned down the cold hallways in white mattress covers hunting for victims. Allegedly, the Maggot names are lost to history. Charlie may have been one!<br />After graduation on June 6, 1979, Charlie branched Military Intelligence (MI) and went through basic schooling at Fort Huachuca, AZ, and then reported to the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, KY. One of his 101st MI Company classmates said, “Charlie was the quintessential ‘straight arrow’ never veering from his principles and always true to himself.” After this, from 1983 to 1984, Charlie became the Intel officer for 2/327th Infantry and then transferred to Fort Knox, KY, where he was commander of the 517th MI Detachment from 1985 to 1986. Successfully finishing command, he became S-2 for the 194th Armored Brigade and then chose to enter the USAR and civilian life in 1987. After a progression of increasingly responsible Reserve positions, Charlie retired as lieutenant colonel in the early 2000s.<br />In “civvie life” Charlie started in 1987 as an engineer for Texas Instruments and then broadened his skills by earning his MBA from the University of Dallas in 1990. After TI, he held senior engineering positions at NEC, SWEC, General Electric and Peterbilt. It was at Peterbilt that Charlie found his “good boodle,” quality control and process improvement. He joined Six Sigma Academy in 2003 as a consultant and travelled internationally advising clients how to improve their business practices. Charlie loved this and spent a lot of time in the UK for Range Rover, in Sweden for Volvo, and in the Middle East with numerous clients.<br />Charlie married Jennifer in 1987, meeting her through a Fort Campbell friend, and lovingly adopted her son, Josh, shortly after. Several years later he and Jennifer also adopted their second son, Andrew. The Lawrence family settled in Palm Bay, FL and enjoyed life looking across the Indian River into the nearby Atlantic. Between Charlie travelling, Jennifer having a small business, and both sons growing up, things were always hectic in the family. Further, the neighbors certainly appreciated the assistance Charlie gave them with yards, advice and good-natured humor!<br />Sadly, Charlie unexpectedly left us with his untimely death, and this absence will be felt forever by his class. Some heartfelt comments from his classmates include, “Charlie always had a kind word for everyone…and a joke…and a smile for you when you needed one. He was a kind and thoughtful soul—we will miss our friend.” Another classmate said, “Charlie was a good man. I remember him with a persistent smile on his face and consistent sincerity in his heart.”<br />Charles Desmond “Charlie” Lawrence Jr. has temporarily left us, but with his deep belief in God and love of country his class is assured of meeting him again.</p>