Lawrence Matthew Meier

It is with great sadness we share the passing of Lawrence Meier 102 of Peoria, Arizona. He is survived by his children Christine A. Waters, Thomas M. Meier (Dunya), Carol E. Hamel, and Lawrence R. Meier (Gwen Wood) five grandchildren Shannon Waters, Meghan Myszkowski, Ian Waters, Joshua Hamel, Timothy Meier and seven great grandchildren Hayley Waters, Addysn Waters, Ethan Waters, Winter Maccarone, Abby Srejic, Ashlynne Huey and Landon Huey. He was preceded in death by his wives Elizabeth Winter Thomas and Ruth Elaine Johnson

Lawrence was born September 24, 1922 and raised in Western Kansas. He is a graduate of Wichita County Community High School where he was active in Football, Basketball, Baseball and Track. He received a BA in Business Administration from University of Wyoming.

His military career began in December 1940 when he and a number of his college friends decided to enlist before being drafted. Basic training was completed at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas and was then assigned to the 6th Engineer Combat Battalion. In April 1941 the Division was relocated to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri to assist with the completion of the Engineering Training Center. He was selected by his Commander for Officer Training School and was promoted to Second Lt. His next assignment was to Camp Polk, LA for duty with the 1116 Engineer Combat Regiment. After maneuvers he was selected to open a new Engineer Training Center in Swift, TX. His next assignment would take him with the 6th Engineer Brigade to England for training with the British and then on to Omaha Beach for D-Day landing. He was ordered June 6 to clear the minefields and beach obstacles for landing of the Combat Forces H-Hour. The landing led to months of combat duty where he was awarded five combat stars. At wars end he worked with a task force that opened German coal mines. He elected to remain in the service after combat and served 24 years in various staff and command assignments retiring as a full Colonel. After his retirement from the Air Force Lawrence held positions at Jefferson County School District, General Electric and Honeywell.

Burial will take place Friday, February 28th at 10:30 a.m., at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 2929 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Phoenix, AZ. In lieu of flowers please support the Wounded Warrior Project or Honor Flight Arizona or Honor Flight Florida.