Michael Edward Lawrence, 68, passed away on July 19, 2023, at his home in Chicago, Illinois.
Michael was born in Maysville, Kentucky, on February 28, 1955, the son of the late Reverend Riley Edward Lawrence, Jr., and Lillian Louise "Jean" (nee O'Daire) Lawrence. He was preceded in death by his only sibling, Darlene Sue Lawrence, and his partner, Milan A. Bogdanovic.
Michael moved frequently throughout his childhood and adolescence. His father was ordained an elder in the Church of the Nazarene in 1962. He served congregations in Fulton, Kentucky; Joelton, Tennessee; Hamilton, Ohio; Batavia, Ohio; Newell, West Virginia; and Hendersonville, North Carolina.
Michael, a proud United States Boy Scouts member, often boasted of his Eagle Scout rank. His self-imposed "civic duty" was to visit every state capital. It was number one on his bucket list, and he nearly completed it.
Michael, a life-long learner and academic, earned his first degree at Lambuth University, a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies, in 1977.
That same year began his 43-year career in religious publishing. Michael worked at Abingdon Press, the United Methodist Publishing House in Nashville, Tennesse. He held various marketing and editorial roles, rising to the Sales and Marketing Director executive position. During his tenure at Abingdon, Michael earned an MBA in Business Administration and Management in 1982 and a Master of Theological Studies at Vanderbilt University in 1996.
In 2000, Michael was offered an opportunity at The Pilgrim Press, the publishing arm of the United Church of Christ, as the Editorial and Sales Director, where he developed a publishing program that gave voice to the marginalized and alienated members of our communities.
Following many years at Pilgrim, Michael was offered an even more incredible opportunity that brought him to New York. Michael was named the Sales Director at Orbis Books, the Catholic Foreign Mission Society of America. During his time at Orbis, Michael enrolled in a post-masters program in Dogmatic Theology at St. Joseph's Theological Seminary, earning his certificate in 2013.
Michael was beloved by the countless authors and colleagues he worked with throughout his lengthy career in religious publishing. He spent most of his career using printed words to fight for the inherent rights of others, exposing economic and social disparity.
During the 2020 pandemic (COVID-19), Michael retired from Orbis Books and relocated to Chicago, Illinois. Michael had always intended to someday retire to Maysville, his birthplace. Michael is survived by Tim (Susan) Gilbert, Rita (Ray) Young, Rhonda (David) Chasteen, David (Missy) Lawrence and Teresa (Tim) Hiles, all of Maysville, Kentucky.
Michael will be remembered for his quick dry wit, commitment to justice, love of choir music, state capital tours, and never-ending dedication to reading the news. He was a mentor, teacher, advisor, editor, and friend and will be greatly missed.
A committal graveside service will be held at the Maysville Cemetery on Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 11:00 AM. Local arrangements by Knox and Brothers Funeral Home.
Michael was born in Maysville, Kentucky, on February 28, 1955, the son of the late Reverend Riley Edward Lawrence, Jr., and Lillian Louise "Jean" (nee O'Daire) Lawrence. He was preceded in death by his only sibling, Darlene Sue Lawrence, and his partner, Milan A. Bogdanovic.
Michael moved frequently throughout his childhood and adolescence. His father was ordained an elder in the Church of the Nazarene in 1962. He served congregations in Fulton, Kentucky; Joelton, Tennessee; Hamilton, Ohio; Batavia, Ohio; Newell, West Virginia; and Hendersonville, North Carolina.
Michael, a proud United States Boy Scouts member, often boasted of his Eagle Scout rank. His self-imposed "civic duty" was to visit every state capital. It was number one on his bucket list, and he nearly completed it.
Michael, a life-long learner and academic, earned his first degree at Lambuth University, a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies, in 1977.
That same year began his 43-year career in religious publishing. Michael worked at Abingdon Press, the United Methodist Publishing House in Nashville, Tennesse. He held various marketing and editorial roles, rising to the Sales and Marketing Director executive position. During his tenure at Abingdon, Michael earned an MBA in Business Administration and Management in 1982 and a Master of Theological Studies at Vanderbilt University in 1996.
In 2000, Michael was offered an opportunity at The Pilgrim Press, the publishing arm of the United Church of Christ, as the Editorial and Sales Director, where he developed a publishing program that gave voice to the marginalized and alienated members of our communities.
Following many years at Pilgrim, Michael was offered an even more incredible opportunity that brought him to New York. Michael was named the Sales Director at Orbis Books, the Catholic Foreign Mission Society of America. During his time at Orbis, Michael enrolled in a post-masters program in Dogmatic Theology at St. Joseph's Theological Seminary, earning his certificate in 2013.
Michael was beloved by the countless authors and colleagues he worked with throughout his lengthy career in religious publishing. He spent most of his career using printed words to fight for the inherent rights of others, exposing economic and social disparity.
During the 2020 pandemic (COVID-19), Michael retired from Orbis Books and relocated to Chicago, Illinois. Michael had always intended to someday retire to Maysville, his birthplace. Michael is survived by Tim (Susan) Gilbert, Rita (Ray) Young, Rhonda (David) Chasteen, David (Missy) Lawrence and Teresa (Tim) Hiles, all of Maysville, Kentucky.
Michael will be remembered for his quick dry wit, commitment to justice, love of choir music, state capital tours, and never-ending dedication to reading the news. He was a mentor, teacher, advisor, editor, and friend and will be greatly missed.
A committal graveside service will be held at the Maysville Cemetery on Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 11:00 AM. Local arrangements by Knox and Brothers Funeral Home.
Michael Edward Lawrence, 68, passed away on July 19, 2023, at his home in Chicago, Illinois.
Michael was born in Maysville, Kentucky, on February 28, 1955, the son of the late Reverend Riley Edward Lawrence, Jr., and Lillian Louise "Jean" (nee O'Daire) Lawrence. He was preceded in death by his only sibling, Darlene Sue Lawrence, and his partner, Milan A. Bogdanovic.
Michael moved frequently throughout his childhood and adolescence. His father was ordained an elder in the Church of the Nazarene in 1962. He served congregations in Fulton, Kentucky; Joelton, Tennessee; Hamilton, Ohio; Batavia, Ohio; Newell, West Virginia; and Hendersonville, North Carolina.
Michael, a proud United States Boy Scouts member, often boasted of his Eagle Scout rank. His self-imposed "civic duty" was to visit every state capital. It was number one on his bucket list, and he nearly completed it.
Michael, a life-long learner and academic, earned his first degree at Lambuth University, a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies, in 1977.
That same year began his 43-year career in religious publishing. Michael worked at Abingdon Press, the United Methodist Publishing House in Nashville, Tennesse. He held various marketing and editorial roles, rising to the Sales and Marketing Director executive position. During his tenure at Abingdon, Michael earned an MBA in Business Administration and Management in 1982 and a Master of Theological Studies at Vanderbilt University in 1996.
In 2000, Michael was offered an opportunity at The Pilgrim Press, the publishing arm of the United Church of Christ, as the Editorial and Sales Director, where he developed a publishing program that gave voice to the marginalized and alienated members of our communities.
Following many years at Pilgrim, Michael was offered an even more incredible opportunity that brought him to New York. Michael was named the Sales Director at Orbis Books, the Catholic Foreign Mission Society of America. During his time at Orbis, Michael enrolled in a post-masters program in Dogmatic Theology at St. Joseph's Theological Seminary, earning his certificate in 2013.
Michael was beloved by the countless authors and colleagues he worked with throughout his lengthy career in religious publishing. He spent most of his career using printed words to fight for the inherent rights of others, exposing economic and social disparity.
During the 2020 pandemic (COVID-19), Michael retired from Orbis Books and relocated to Chicago, Illinois. Michael had always intended to someday retire to Maysville, his birthplace. Michael is survived by Tim (Susan) Gilbert, Rita (Ray) Young, Rhonda (David) Chasteen, David (Missy) Lawrence and Teresa (Tim) Hiles, all of Maysville, Kentucky.
Michael will be remembered for his quick dry wit, commitment to justice, love of choir music, state capital tours, and never-ending dedication to reading the news. He was a mentor, teacher, advisor, editor, and friend and will be greatly missed.
A committal graveside service will be held at the Maysville Cemetery on Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 11:00 AM. Local arrangements by Knox and Brothers Funeral Home.
Michael was born in Maysville, Kentucky, on February 28, 1955, the son of the late Reverend Riley Edward Lawrence, Jr., and Lillian Louise "Jean" (nee O'Daire) Lawrence. He was preceded in death by his only sibling, Darlene Sue Lawrence, and his partner, Milan A. Bogdanovic.
Michael moved frequently throughout his childhood and adolescence. His father was ordained an elder in the Church of the Nazarene in 1962. He served congregations in Fulton, Kentucky; Joelton, Tennessee; Hamilton, Ohio; Batavia, Ohio; Newell, West Virginia; and Hendersonville, North Carolina.
Michael, a proud United States Boy Scouts member, often boasted of his Eagle Scout rank. His self-imposed "civic duty" was to visit every state capital. It was number one on his bucket list, and he nearly completed it.
Michael, a life-long learner and academic, earned his first degree at Lambuth University, a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies, in 1977.
That same year began his 43-year career in religious publishing. Michael worked at Abingdon Press, the United Methodist Publishing House in Nashville, Tennesse. He held various marketing and editorial roles, rising to the Sales and Marketing Director executive position. During his tenure at Abingdon, Michael earned an MBA in Business Administration and Management in 1982 and a Master of Theological Studies at Vanderbilt University in 1996.
In 2000, Michael was offered an opportunity at The Pilgrim Press, the publishing arm of the United Church of Christ, as the Editorial and Sales Director, where he developed a publishing program that gave voice to the marginalized and alienated members of our communities.
Following many years at Pilgrim, Michael was offered an even more incredible opportunity that brought him to New York. Michael was named the Sales Director at Orbis Books, the Catholic Foreign Mission Society of America. During his time at Orbis, Michael enrolled in a post-masters program in Dogmatic Theology at St. Joseph's Theological Seminary, earning his certificate in 2013.
Michael was beloved by the countless authors and colleagues he worked with throughout his lengthy career in religious publishing. He spent most of his career using printed words to fight for the inherent rights of others, exposing economic and social disparity.
During the 2020 pandemic (COVID-19), Michael retired from Orbis Books and relocated to Chicago, Illinois. Michael had always intended to someday retire to Maysville, his birthplace. Michael is survived by Tim (Susan) Gilbert, Rita (Ray) Young, Rhonda (David) Chasteen, David (Missy) Lawrence and Teresa (Tim) Hiles, all of Maysville, Kentucky.
Michael will be remembered for his quick dry wit, commitment to justice, love of choir music, state capital tours, and never-ending dedication to reading the news. He was a mentor, teacher, advisor, editor, and friend and will be greatly missed.
A committal graveside service will be held at the Maysville Cemetery on Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 11:00 AM. Local arrangements by Knox and Brothers Funeral Home.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
