Indian Shores Mayor James J. Lawrence, Lt. Col., USAF Ret., died December 26, 2016 after a long battle with cancer. He was 68.

Col. Lawrence moved to Indian Shores in 1993 after retiring from the U.S. Air Force. He had been a command pilot who logged in more than 6,500 flying hours and flew in every U.S. conflict from Vietnam to the first Gulf War.

Col Lawrence was elected to the Indian Shores Town Council in 1998. Lawrence chaired the public services committee for two years and the planning, zoning and building committee for five years. Lawrence serves as vice mayor for five of the eight years he served on the council. He also served for three years on the board of directors of the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority, the last two as treasurer and vice chair. He represented Indian Shores on the North Beaches YMCA board of directors from its inception in 2003 until its dissolution in 2007. From 2005-2007, he was the chair of the NBYMCA advisory board.

Col. Lawrence won his first term as Indian Shores mayor in 2006 when he was unopposed. He held the position until his death.

He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Alice; his son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Jennifer; two grandchildren, Cassidy and Gage; brother, Robert; and sisters Gini Boughner, and Pati Evans; and much-loved dog, Billy.

A memorial service is planned for 10 a.m. Jan. 9 at the Indian Shores Municipal Center Pavilion, 19305 Gulf Blvd.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to an animal shelter.