Donald Clifford Lawrence Jr.

September 10, 1927 - November 25, 2020

Donald Clifford (D.C.) Lawrence, Jr., departed this world on November 25, 2020 at the age of 93. D.C. was born on September 10, 1927 to D.C. Lawrence, Sr. and Laura B. Lawrence (Beeler) who lived on a farm south of Wibaux, MT. He was the third of four children. He attended grade school at Yates School and graduated in 1945 from Wibaux High School. In his younger days, he enjoyed hunting and fishing, baseball and excelled at basketball in high school. In 1946, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and stationed at Fort Lejeune, LA, for basic training, then transferred to Fort Lewis, WA, where he served out his enlistment. He was honorably discharged early in the spring of 1947, with a hardship to return to the family farm to help out his parents. In 1955, he married the love of his life, Donna M. Zinsli and over the years they raised four children. In the early years he worked part time at the County assessor’s office in Wibaux, was farming and running cattle and building the brick house in Wibaux. He also helped build the brick house at the farm where his parents lived. He enjoyed masonry and built many structures. In 1967, the family moved to Miles City, MT. Dad went to work for the Burlington Northern Land Office and worked there until the beginning of 1976. He was an avid bowler and enjoyed bowling on leagues, in tournaments and watching bowling on TV. After he and Donna divorced in 1981, he returned to the family farm, where he built yet another house, (not brick this time). Don raised wheat and dry land red potatoes, which he loved sharing with friends and family. He was most at peace and content when he was farming the land. He often said, “Farming was definitely my life’s best undertaking”. At the age of 82, he sold the family farm in Wibaux and moved back to Miles City. For the next 10 years, he lived out his days in a small house on Jordan Street next to family friends, Spud and Debbie Patch. He was able to stay in the house until age 92. In the spring of 2020, he was moved to the Wibaux County Rest Home, as his eye sight and hearing had failed him and dementia had begun to settle in. He was preceded in death by his parents, D.C. and Laura Lawrence, sister, Patricia Thrams, sister, Gloria Johnson, and brother, Dean Lawrence and by the wife of his children, Donna M. Zinsli (Carlson). Also by his dear friends: Larry Goroski of Glendive, MT; Charlie Carlson and Eugene Staggs of Wibaux, MT and Tom Hanel, Sr. of Miles City/ Billings, MT. He is survived by his son, Zachary Lawrence, of Columbus, MT; daughter, Bernadette (Jeff) Skidmore of Miles City, MT; daughter, Carla Lawrence (Will Alexander) of Boyd, MT; and son, Vance (Gena) Lawrence of Miles City. Grandchildren: Candice Forman of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Travis (Victoreya) Forman of Miles City, MT; Hannah (David) West of Springfield, VA; Larissa Lawrence of Billings, MT and Lindsay Lawrence and one great-grandchild, Liam Lawrence of Miles City, MT. He will be laid to rest at the Wibaux Cemetery. Burial will be set at a later date. Silha Funeral Home of Glendive has been entrusted with the arrangements. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silhafuneralhomes.com.