PHOENIX – Lawrence Malcom Pray, 88, passed away March 10, 2012, in Phoenix, after a brief battle with cancer. He was born Feb. 16, 1924, in Dover-Foxcroft, the son of Carroll and Rosa Tompkins Pray.
Lawrence served in the Marine Corps during World War II in the South Pacific, reaching the rank of sergeant. Lawrence worked as a local police officer in Dover-Foxcroft before joining Maine State Police in 1951 and retired as a lieutenant in 1973. He then worked at Saunders Manufacturing Co., Readfield, until 1986. He enjoyed spending time with his family, reading, and his passion was flying.
He was predeceased by his parents; a sister, Carolyn Thomas of Guilford; and his daughter, Laurel Pray Smith of Phoenix, who passed March 6, 2012. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Barbara Brawn Pray; his son, Bruce Pray and wife, Penny, of Winthrop; grandchildren, Matthew Pray and his wife, Wendy, of Fayette, Meredith Bastian and husband, Jon, of Scarborough, Christopher Smith and his wife, Eva, of Connecticut and Nicole Smith of Minnesota; and great-grandchildren, Zachary Pray, Avery and Charlotte Bastian.
Burial will be in the spring at the new Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Mount Vernon Road, Augusta. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 East Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014 or Winthrop Congregational Church, 10 Bowdoin St., Winthrop, ME 04364. Arrangements by Roberts Funeral Home, 62 Bowdoin St., Winthrop. Memories, condolences, photos and videos may be shared with the family at
www.khrfuneralhomes.com.