David Lawrence

David Lawrence died on January 5, 2025, in Moreno Valley, CA. Born  in Brooklyn, New York, David Lawrence attended Pratt Institute for one year, then activated himself from the reserves to the US Army and for two years served as cartoonist for “The Bayonet,” the Army newspaper in Korea. After his discharge, he attended USC, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, with a major in studio art and a minor in filmmaking; and in 1961 a Master of Fine Arts degree. Lawrence then taught art in Los Angeles high schools and at Pierce College, briefly running an art gallery in Laguna Beach while he continued to produce paintings and drawings. In 1963, he and Susan Friedman were married. They moved to Redlands, CA and raised three children, Anna, Margaret, and Devin. In 1964, Lawrence was hired by San Bernardino Valley College to chair the arts department, direct the art gallery, and teach painting and filmmaking. He remained in that position until 1998, when he was appointed Dean of the Humanities and Social Sciences Divisions, where served until his retirement in 2002.David saw the world as an artist: as a place in which the sight of light on an oak tree could be as arresting as a barrel of rainwater or the lines of dust after a broom swept a concrete patio floor. His deep commitment to his family led him to make choices differently than his own upbringing, never failing to let his family know what they meant to him and devoting his energies to ensuring they had resources he never had as a youth. David loved people. He was a natural performer who always saw the humor in life. Whether to a close friend or a grocery clerk, David sought to make a connection: a funny comment or observation, or a quip that brought a smile to their face. Best of all, his joy and love for life were shared with all.He is survived by his children, Anna Kocis, Margaret Lawrence, and Devin Lawrence; his grandchildren, Emily and Alan Kocis and Adam, Jonah and Max Lawrence; and his sister, Tzinorah Goldberg.