A life well lived in the service of others.
Lawrence Herbert Moncrief passed away peacefully at home on October 21, 2022. He was 86 years old. Lawrence was born and raised in Los Angeles, the youngest of three children, he had fond memories of being raised by his mother Ruth Hubbard. Lawrence met his future spouse Katherine Janet Dodge while working at a YMCA camp. He was a camp counseling and she was a cook. They married in 1956. In 1962, the young couple, along with their newly adopted baby Richard moved to Chico, California. Lawrence received a bachelor’s degree at Chico State University and for the next seven years, he worked as a Chico City police officer. Katherine taught home economics at Chico State University. In 1964, Katherine and Lawrence adopted their second child, Janet. In 1970, the family moved to Modesto where Lawrence began working for Stanislaus County as a probation officer. In 1972, Lawrence was offered a teaching position at Modesto Junior College Criminal Justice Center in the Police Academy. Lawrence had a strong commitment to teaching community policing; in which all people would be treated with dignity and respect. In later year, he taught Fire Science and was instrumental in the development of the MJC Regional Fire Training Center located near the west campus. After 20 years of teaching, Lawrence was fortunate to retire at age 55. He and Katherine enjoyed traveling together especially their four trips to Scotland. They explored their family roots through detailed research. Both enjoyed sharing their Moncrief genealogy knowledge at Scottish Games. This eventually led to the founding of the Clan Moncrieffe Society. Katherine and Lawrence were members of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Stanislaus County for 50 years. This fellowship provided the joy of extended family, along with many longtime and loving friendships.
Lawrence’s family and friends appreciated his kind heart, welcoming smile and is loving acceptance of people. He always had a story to tell with a hardy laugh. Lawrence was known for his gardening skill, his green thumb created a park like setting at his home in Modesto, where he and Katherine often welcomed friends and family for dinners, swimming and celebrations. Lawrence was an amazing cook, from gumbo to oyster dressing, you were always in for a good meal. Lawrence was an excellent card player and took great pleasure in a daily game of Cribbage with his son Rick.
Lawrence is proceeded in death by his wife of 64 years, Katherine. Lawrence is survived by this brother Art Moncrief of Los Angeles. His two children; Richard Lawrence Moncrief of Modesto and Janet Elizabeth Moncrief of Santa Cruz, five grandsons; Richard S. Moncrief, Harlan Absher, Kevin Bradley, Aaron Moncrief and Kevin Moncrief, three great-grand children; Bella, Nolan and Emma, many loving nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends. A celebration of life will take place in 2023 for both Lawrence and Katherine who died in 2020. In lieu of flowers, the family requests those who wish to make a contribution to two important organizations in our heart; The Hiefer Project International @ Hiefer.org or Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Stanislaus County , P.O. Box 1000, Salida, CA 95368.
Leave a Condolence