The Indian Shores Library will be closed all day and Town Hall will be closed from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. today (Jan. 9) for Mayor Lawrence’s memorial service.

INDIAN SHORES – A memorial service for Mayor Jim Lawrence is scheduled at 10 a.m. today (Jan. 9) at the Indian Shores Municipal Center Pavilion, 19305 Gulf Blvd.

James J. Lawrence, Lt. Col., USAF Ret., died at age 68 on Dec. 26, 2016, after a long battle with cancer. He had served as Indian Shores mayor for 10 years.

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

“Mayor James J. Lawrence has gotten his wings back and is now free, flying the skies of the great blue yonder!” the town said in a statement announcing Mayor Lawrence’s passing.

Calling him a “beloved mayor,” the town went on to say, “Jim’s life was the epitome of a dedicated public servant as evidenced by his career serving our nation in the U.S. Air Force followed by 20 years of service in Pinellas County and the town of Indian Shores.

“Jim was an inspiration to everyone and helped create a culture of volunteerism that makes the town of Indian Shores ‘a great place to live.’

“He will be greatly missed.”

Mayor Lawrence and his wife moved to Indian Shores after he and his wife retired from the. Air Force in 1993. He was a command pilot who logged more than 6,500 flying hours and served as a pilot in every U.S. conflict from Vietnam to the first Gulf War.

He was elected to the Indian Shores Town Council in 1998. For five of the eight years he was on the council, he served as vice mayor. He ran unopposed for mayor in 2006 and served in that position until his death.

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.

Town officials said Mayor Lawrence will be remembered for his love and dedication to the and to Indian Shores. Some of his achievements:

• Leading the efforts for the construction of Indian Shore’s $4.5 million Municipal Center.
• Overseeing the completion of a $6 million utility under-grounding project on Indian Shores’ Gulf Blvd.
• Leading the effort to negotiate a $35 million interlocal agreement with Pinellas County for the Gulf Beaches Beautification Project for Indian Shores and 10 other beach communities.
• Overseeing the construction of a new Pavilion and Playground for $250,000.
• Driving the effort for a Pinellas Suncoast Fire and Rescue Fire Station 26 at the Municipal Center to improve EMS response time for the district.
• Conceiving the annual St. Patrick’s Day Festival.
• Partnering with the Indian Shores Property Owner’s Municipal Center Memorial Brick PaverProgram.
• Supporting the establishment of the community garden and the establishment of an art gallery in the Municipal Center.

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

For information about Indian Shores, go to myindianshores.com.

Indian Shores | Mayor James Lawrence | Jim Lawrence | Memorial Service | TB Reporter

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