Louis “Lou” Charles Lawrence was born to Marjorie and John Lawrence in North Platte, Nebraska on July 2, 1944. He passed away at home in Lakewood, California surrounded by family, friends, and former students on Tuesday, February 21, 2023.

Lou and his older sister Dorathy relocated with Marjorie to Washington State where she married Oscar Ekstedt. Lou's younger sister Tina Ekstedt was born next. The three siblings grew up in the log cabin on Viking Way above Liberty Bay in Poulsbo. There Lou developed a love for the woods, especially a giant old-growth tree, and the creek at the base of the canyon.

Lou graduated North Kitsap High School in 1962 where he made lifelong friends. He excelled at football which earned him a scholarship to Central Washington University in Ellensburg. At Central, he earned a BA in Education and played football for the Wildcats, graduating in 1967. Together with his NK high school alumni, Lou founded a golf tournament in 2005 to provide college scholarships for North Kitsap graduates.

Working with students was Lou's passion. He started his teaching career at Bell Gardens followed by Montebello. Then, at Schurr High School he began coaching wrestling as the assistant varsity coach and head junior varsity coach. His junior varsity teams went undefeated during his 12-year tenure from 1980-1992. As a teacher and wrestling coach, Lou changed the lives of countless students acting as an essential motivator and father figure.

Lou's relationship with the love of his life, Andrea Bodnar, started with a promising phone proposition from Lou during his time at Montebello. "I don't know who you are, but I need a date and someone gave me your phone number." Andrea was smitten from the first date, and they were married in 1975. They adopted four children together: Andrew Bodnar, MinOk Lawrence, Hannah Marie Bodnar, and Joey Lawrence.

Lou was preceded in death by his daughter Hannah Marie Bodnar and his sister Dorathy Trusty. Lou is survived by his wife Andrea Bodnar and his children MinOk Lawrence, Andrew Bodnar, and Joey Lawrence. He is also survived by his sister Tina Pinkowsky and his sister-in-law Marilyn Bodnar. His dear grandchildren are Andrea Lawrence, Louis Lawrence, and Catalina Lawrence. His nieces and nephews are Stuart Trusty, Serena Hendricks, Cory Trusty, Kay Gell, Brandon Perry, and Darrell Perry.

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