Harold W. Laurence

Harold W. Laurence, age 86, of La Grande, died August 5, 2006 at his home. A Celebration of Life will begin at 11:00 am on Friday, August 11, 2006 at Daniels Chapel of the Valley. Committal and interment will follow at the Grandview Cemetery. Viewing will be held on Thursday from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. at Daniels Chapel of the Valley.

Harold was born in Mt. Vernon, Oregon December 9, 1919, the son of Joe and Daisy "Hayward" Laurence. After graduating from Mt. Vernon High school, Mr. Laurence met and married Raema Helen Davis.

Harold excelled at everything he attempted. After learning the meat cutting trade he apprenticed to become a watchmaker. He became a Certified Watchmaker in 1946 and a Certified Master Watchmaker in 1948.

He and his beloved wife, Raema, opened their first jewelry store in Wallowa, then in Enterprise and moved to La Grande in 1946. Their first store in La Grande was a very small shop between the Granada Theatre and the J.C. Penny Store where the movie billboard is now. After their sons, Jack and Eric, became watchmakers and began operating the jewelry store with their mother, Harold became an insurance representative for Farmers Insurance. He retired from Farmers but still played an ongoing role teaching watch making expertise to his sons.

Harold was a life member of the Freemasons, a 50 year member of the La Grande Elks Lodge and past Exalted Ruler. He was at Raema's side when she was Worthy Matron and Grand Worthy Matron of the Oregon Order of Eastern Star and a member of the Blue Blazer Club of O.E.S.

His hobbies were fly tying, fly fishing and tinkering with every unique contraption he could find to make work. His family turned to him for advice on every subject and never went away empty handed. He was a master of everything he put his mind to, a brilliant, loving human being..

Harold is survived by his wife, Raema; sister, Cecille Coleman of West Covina, California; four grandchildren and their spouses; sixteen great grandchildren, all of whom loved and respected him deeply. He was a wonderful man who will be greatly missed.