Lawrence Mitchell Ash, 85, of Shedd, OR died Friday at his daughter’s home in Brownsville. He was born in Corvallis to Homer Mitchell and Ethel Irene (Harwood) Ash. He attended schools in Corvallis.

Lawrence is a World War II veteran who served two years in the United States Navy. He served on both the U.S.S. Tucson and U.S.S. Gillette as a boilermaker.

After serving in the Navy, Lawrence worked as a heavy construction worker building many roads and highways in Oregon. After doing this for a few years, he worked for Corvallis Sand and Gravel, Builders Supply, and Morse Brothers as a loader operator running the crushing and asphalt plants. He retired in 1979 and moved to Prineville. In 1985, Lawrence moved back to the valley, working for Mid-Valley Gravel Company in Philomath until his final retirement in 1998 at the age of 70.

During his life, he loved the outdoors and was an avid deer and elk hunter with his son. Lawrence was also an avid Oregon Duck’s fan and he loved John Wayne movies and a good pepperoni pizza.

Lawrence is survived by: daughter Elaine Pyle and son-in-law, Jeffrey; son Larry Ash and daughter-in-law Diania, daughter Sylvia Ash; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; sister Margery Frost of Hayward, California; and brother Charles of Redmond, Oregon.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to freezing rain and power outages in the Sweet Home area, the memorial service for Mr. Ash has been rescheduled for 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 15, 2014 at the Sweet Home Funeral Chapel. Memorial contributions can be made in Lawrence’s name to a charity of your choice.

Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.