Charles "David" Lawrence, Sr., 85, of Abell, MD died Sunday, January 12, 2014 at St Mary's Hospital with his wife at his side. Born March 24, 1928 in River Springs, MD, he was the son of the late Arthur Bernard and Emma Marie Bailey Lawrence.

He attended River Spring and Holy Angels Elementary Schools and Margaret Brent High School. At 17, he enlisted in the US Navy and served in the Pacific on a LST-1170 during World War II. Some of his ports included Alaska, and many Aleutian Islands. He was honorably discharged in 1946.

His love of the Potomac started at a young age of 6 or 7 when he rowed his boat across St. Clements Bay to pick up 3 ducks from his Aunt. Within a year the young entrepreneur had 160 ducks to sell. At the age of 10, he shifted his interest from ducks to building boats using the lumber from his father's barn to build his first boat. During his life he built over 1,700 boats. His workmanship has been acknowledged in several boating magazines.

Most recently he assisted Calvert Marine Museum in creating a replica of his cross planked skiff. He reminded them "if you are not a good builder you have to be a good caulker." He built and operated three boatyards during his life. Carpentry was his passion whether he was building boats, houses, furniture or seawalls. He was a multi-talented waterman having mastered fishing, oystering, clamming, crabbing and eeling.

After retiring, he spent winters in FL where he fished on Lake Okeechobee and shared his catch with family and friends. He enjoyed fishing his crab pots, entertaining his many grandchildren with his player piano and listening to Patsy Cline.

On August 19, 1949 he married his best catch and love of his life, Teresa Louise Battenfield of Washington, DC. Together they celebrated 64 wonderful years of marriage.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Bernard Lawrence and daughter Joan Lawrence Scully.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children Sue Lawrence Lockhart (Gary) of Lexington Park, MD, Teeny Lawrence Spillman of St James City, FL, Carol Lawrence Johnson (Mike) of Mechanicsville, MD, Nancy Lawrence Hiner of Melbourne, FL, Charles David Lawrence, JR (Theresa) of Okeechobee FL, Artie Lawrence (Nancy) of Leonardtown, MD, son-in-law Kenneth Scully of Leonardtown, MD and 17 Grandchildren, 17 Great-Grandchildren and 1 Great-Great-Grandchild.

The family will receive friend Thursday, Jan 16 from 5 to 8 pm with prayers recited at 7 pm in the Mattingly-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown MD. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday, January 17, 2014 at 10:00 am in Holy Angels Catholic Church, Avenue, MD with Father Charlie Cortinovis officiating. Interment will be private.

Pallbearers are his grandchildren Debra Howe, Chris Scully, Jonathan Scully, Matthew Hiner, Michael Lawrence and Mark Lawrence. Honorary Pallbearers are the remaining grandchildren.

Honary Pallbearers: Jenny Edelen, Cara Moultis, Vanessa Shirlen, Ryan Lockhart, Cal Lawrence, Lisa Beavan, Clint Hiner, Shannon Lawrence, Carri Lawrence, Nikki Neswick, Casey Lawrence.

Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.