Retired U.S. Army Master Sgt. Donald Francis Lawrence, 74, of Southern Pines, died Sunday, March 4, 2007, at his home.

A memorial service will be held at the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center Chapel at Fort Bragg. Master Sgt. (Ret.) Lawrence will be laid to rest with his daughter, Kim Lawrence, at the Fort Bragg Cemetery following the service. You may contact Boles Funeral Home for the service arrangements at Fort Bragg.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday (today), March 7, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Boles Funeral Home in Southern Pines.

Master Sgt. (ret.) Lawrence was born on September 13, 1932, in Montpelier, Vt., the son of Harry R. and Jennie G. Lawrence.

Master Sgt. (ret.) Lawrence served 21 years in the U.S. Army. His service included tours of duty in the Korean War, the Dominican Republic Conflict, and the Vietnam War. He was the recipient of numerous awards including, the Master Parachutist Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal and two Bronze Stars for his actions in Vietnam.

After retiring in 1971, he graduated from Martinsville School of Farriery in Virginia. He faithfully served the community as a farrier and blacksmith until his retirement in 2006. He was an avid outdoorsman enjoying hunting, fishing, and trapping. He also enjoyed woodcarving and metalworking.

Master Sgt. (ret.) Lawrence was preceded in death by his oldest child, Kim T. Lawrence.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Nancy Lawrence, of Southern Pines; two sons, Donald Francis Lawrence II and his wife, Claudia, and Mark Andrew Lawrence, all of Southern Pines; two daughters, Valerie Ann Lawrence, and Pamela Ann Waugh and her husband Gordan, all of Southern Pines; four grandchildren, Dylan A. Lawrence-Stone, Donald F. Lawrence III, Alexander M. Waugh, Emily A. Waugh; and one great-grandchild, Dylan A. Lawrence-Stone.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorial contributions please be made to Community Home Care and Hospice, 685 S. Bennett St., Southern Pines, NC 28387.

Boles Funeral Home and Crematory of Southern Pines is serving the family.