Since 03-12-08
Since 03-12-08
Sailor Rest Your Oar
May He Rest in Peace
Updated 04-10-08
Milton Laurie (CPO) who served on the Diodon came aboard in Sept 58 and stayed until June 63, passed away on March 10, 2008 at the Kansas Veterans Home in Winfield, Ks.
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| Milton Laurie | ||
DERBY - Laurie, Milton, age 79, died peacefully on March
10, 2008 at the Kansas Veterans' Home in Winfield. He was
retired from the US Navy, where he served this country for
20 years. He completed his career in food service working at
such institutions as KAPL, GM Motors and Shorter College.
He is preceded in death by his wives, Mary (Terry) Laurie, April 1989 and Mildred (Johnson) Laurie; and his brother, Rolland Laurie. He is survived by his loving children and family, sons Michael Laurie (FL ) and Bruce Laurie (FL); daughter Jan Cavoli (NY); step daughter Lynn Chance (NY): sisters Wanda Gould (KS), Nona Reep (KS), Kathryn Richards (AK); grandchildren Errol Laurie, Adam Cavoli, Amanda Cavoli, Ryan Laurie. Visitation will be from 10AM to 8PM Friday with the family present from 6 to 8PM. Funeral Services will be 2:00 PM Saturday at Smith Mortuary 1415 N. Rock Rd, Derby. Graveside service will follow in the Upchurch Cemetery, Norwich, KS, where he will be laid to rest near his mother and father. His family would like to say a sincere "Thank You" to the staff at the Kansas Veterans' Home in Winfield and the Hospice Care Of Kansas for making his last years so enjoyable. He was a special man and will be missed by all that knew him. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Kansas Veterans' Home Activity Fund, 1305 WWII Memorial Drive, Winfield, KS 67156 and Hospice Care of Kansas, 1401 Main Street, Winfield, KS 67156 or your local Hospice. Published in the Wichita Eagle from 3/13/2008 - 3/14/2008. |
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On behalf of the entire family of Milton Laurie. I would like to thank each one you who are here today
Milton was my brother in law—the brother that I never had.
The Patriarch of the Laurie Clan passed away this past Monday and we come together to celebrate his life.
After leaving for the navy three days after graduating from high school in 1948, he continued to remember his family back home in Grenola Kansas, for many years. Each of his sisters, because of his generosity, was invited to see the world outside of Elk County by their brother, after their graduation.
My own life would have been much different had it not been for Milton. His encouragement and financial support started Wanda to college. She attended Junior College in Chanute, moving Wichita to teach, where I met and married her. Our families, who have gathered with us today, are here because of Milton.
He was known by many names. Daddy, Pops, Uncle Milt, Cookie, Milty, and Mother Laurie.
A number of his shipmates have sent pictures and memories this past week. Others have shared stories.
Those who served with him that had served on other ships said that “Mother Laurie’ as his shipmates called him, made sure that his galley (Navy talk for kitchen) turned out the finest food in the navy—and for those who have never been in the Navy—Submariners had little limits on the budget for food.
“Cookie” was tough. He spent five years on the Sub—The USS Diodon, longer than any other sea duty that he served. Aboard the Diodon, he was a part of the “silent cold war” navy, which protected us while we slept. A good idea of what he did during those years is chronicled in the book “Blind Mans Bluff” the untold story of submarine espionage. He has seen the shores of Vladivostok, USSR through a periscope, later enduring many hours of depth charges, by an enemy looking for the silent sub that lay in silence on the ocean floor.
He would, in a heartbeat, teach you the difference between a ship and a boat. Subs are boats—the rest are ships!!!
“Mother Laurie,” who was only about 29 years old at the time, cared for his men—in ways far beyond what he fed them. He always was a source of encouragement to young men around him, telling them to further their education.
He served faithfully on five ships, the USS Rowan, the Tillamook, the Diodon, the Yellowstone, the Arcadia, and the Harlan Dixon. During the times at sea, he fought the loneliness of separation from his wife and children. He also served stateside in California, Illinois, Alaska, and Rhode Island.
Milton raised his children by himself for several years after the death of their mother.
On many occasions, he went to sea, enduring the loneliness of separation , leaving them with his Navy family or sister.
Milton retired from the Navy in 1968, and spent many years in the food service industry, working for several large corporations and colleges, in charge of food service for of sometimes thousands people a day before his retirement at age 62.
Milton kept busy in retirement, working part time and traveling.
On one memorable trip, he traveled to a Christian retreat in Chapel Hill, NC. It was on that trip, which he later shared, that he re-dedicated his life to serving the Lord.
That faith served him very well, as his health failed in later years.
He continued to travel, after the death of his wife, visiting his children, friends, shipmates, relatives and sisters in New York, Florida, Kansas, Georgia, and other states.
Two years ago, he arrived in Kansas, intending to spend a few weeks. He spent the next five months, in and out of the hospital, before moving to the Kansas Veterans Home in Winfield.
His “final ministry” was encouraging the staff and nurses that cared for him. With his food service background, he became a permanent advisor, helping make sure that the food not only tasted good, but looked good.
In his the past months, on many occasions, he shared with those close to him, that his time was drawing near. Never did he ever feel sorry for himself.
He is with us today, in spirit only. He has, in the words of his shipmates, departed for his final and eternal patrol.
Because of his faith in the Lord, he did not fear death. Because of his faith, he looked forward to each new day. Because of his faith, he enriched the lives of everyone around him. Because of his faith, he is, as we gather in his celebration, waiting for each of us who have prepared, to join him in his heavenly home.
We will never forget him.
Milton, we thank you for being our faithful father, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend.
Lord,
this departed shipmate with dolphins on his chest,
Is part of an outfit known as the best.
Heavenly Father, add his name to the roll,
Of his departed shipmates still on patrol.
Larry Gould
(brother in Law)
Derby Kansas
5ft20@cox.net
03-15-08
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Milton in and old Navy B&W photo, pre Diodon |
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Milton in graduation photo of Enlisted Basic Submarine Course, Section 113, Class 159, August 27, 1958 |
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