Carolyn Julia Lawrence

Carolyn Julia Lawrence died peacefully in the arms of her family on July 29, 2018. She was 74.

Carolyn was born in Long Island, New York on October 13, 1943 to Norbert and Marie Kunzl. At a young age the family moved to Fauntleroy, West Seattle, where Carolyn spent her youth. She was the oldest of three children, and took on her role as “big sister” to Jean and Paul seriously, making sure everyone followed the rules and got their tasks done but always doing so with compassion and grace. Riding her bike, playing with dolls, babysitting, and sledding icy Fauntleroy streets filled her childhood days.
In her junior year of high school, following her parent’s divorce, Carolyn moved to Hood Canal with her mother, brother and sister. It was a tough move for Carolyn, and she remembers spending the next three weeks in her room crying! Thankfully, she made quick friends with the few other girls who made the long trip back and forth to South Kitsap High School from the hinterlands of Belfair, and those friendships lasted the rest of Carolyn’s life. She met her high school sweetheart Frank Johnson, falling in love with his good looks and, perhaps more importantly, his height as she was always self-conscious about her own 6 foot frame. After a long-distance romance during college they were married in 1965.
Carolyn and Frank raised three children at their home on Woods Road in Port Orchard: Frank III, Greg, and Carl. Following their divorce, Carolyn took on the job of raising her boys, renewing her teaching certification, running a household, and ultimately returning to teaching all on her own, a herculean feat that her boys still marvel at. Despite of limited time and resources, her boys always knew they were loved and cherished. She made time for camping, trips to the coast, and other adventures with her family, always trusting that we would figure things out as we went.
After five years of single life, Carolyn met Gary Powers, who could truly be described as her soul-mate. Carolyn and Gary married in 1980, and Gary’s children, Kim and Mike, joined the family. Carolyn’s big heart and open arms embraced her step-children with the same love she shared with all, and she continued her relationship with them even after Gary’s passing. Carolyn and Gary made great friends through her relationships with teaching colleagues and their membership at Elim Lutheran Church, and those friendships filled her life with joy and laughter.
Carolyn was a teacher, a career she viewed not as a job but as a calling. She touched the lives of her students by inspiring their minds but more importantly by sharing her heart—it was always clear to her students that, when in her classroom, they were loved. She taught throughout the South Kitsap School District, first at Marcus Whitman Junior High, then opening Burley Glenwood Elementary, followed by teaching math at South Kitsap High School, and finishing her career at Hidden Creek Elementary.
After Gary’s sudden death in 2000, Carolyn felt a bit adrift until she was courted by Ken Lawrence, and they ultimately married in 2005. Carolyn and Ken shared a deep love for each other, and unsurprisingly they expanded their love to their mutual families and friends. They served their Lord faithfully at Christ the Rock Church, and the friendships Carolyn made through her service gave her joy and, following Ken’s death, great comfort.
Carolyn began her relationship with Christ through the introductions made by her teaching friends at Elim Lutheran Church. Her relationship deepened over her later years, and she shared her love of Christ with the youth at Christ the Rock Church through Sunday school and Vacation Bible School. She was comforted at the end by the knowledge that her life was spent in service to Him, and she looked forward to reuniting in glory with her departed loved ones in His arms.
Carolyn’s greatest earthly love was for her family, and spending time with her grandchildren. Grandma Carolyn spoiled her grandchildren and they were blessed to know her unconditional love for them. She is survived by her brother Paul (Pat) Kunzl and sister Jean Jasmine, her sons Frank (Tracie), Greg (CinDee), and Carl (Kjersti) Johnson, grand-children Charlie (Kaitlyn), Sam, Gabe, Evan, Eric, Grace, Abby, and Alex Johnson, and a wide and much-loved extended family.
Please join us to celebrate Carolyn’s life and mourn her passing on Friday August 10 at 11:00 at Christ the Rock Church (4100 SW Old Clifton Rd, Port Orchard WA 98367). Close family is invited to a graveside interment following the service at 3:00 at Sunset Lane cemetery. For those who wish to leave a remembrance, please consider making a donation to your local school’s PTA, support local school bond issues, or support youth programs at your local church—or, in true Carolyn style, support them all!