Arthur Bruce Laurence

On January 27, 2023 at age 82, Arthur Bruce Laurence returned to his Heavenly Father, a valiant and faithful servant. He was born July 30, 1940 in Logan, Utah to Elmer Laurence and Evadyna Hart Laurence.

As a young man he was a talented swimmer, receiving his Red Cross Life Guard and Life Guard Instructor ratings by age sixteen. As a Logan High School Grizzly, he competed successfully in state swim meets, excelling at the butterfly and breast stroke. He learned the trade skill of upholstery from working in his brother Dennis' shop. He also excelled at photography, becoming a semi-professional photographer, the Student Life photographer at Utah State University, and a Signal Corp and Photo Officer in the Army. Like many young men, he loved fast cars, and enjoyed caring for his cars throughout his life, especially his 1993 Corvette.

Bruce's membership in the Boy Scouts of America was a cornerstone of his character. Bruce worked at scout camps, was an Eagle Scout, and was a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow, where he was a charter member of the lodge in the Cache Valley Council. He served as a Scoutmaster and was awarded the Silver Beaver. He was so proud of his four Eagle Scout sons, Eagle Scout son-in-law, and nine Eagle Scout grandsons, plus a grandson due to earn his Eagle soon

Bruce's mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was a highlight of his life and he felt richly blessed by the experience. He served in the California Mission from 1960 - 1962, which covered the states of California and Arizona. He was known as the "Terrible Traveler of Torrid Torrance", and had the privilege of baptizing 150 people, and teaching countless others about the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. Near the end of his mission, he met Sister Alta True Lords who was serving in Arizona, and they built a warm and rewarding friendship over a year's correspondence.

Bruce and Alta were sealed for time and all eternity in the Logan, Utah temple on September 17, 1963. They were blessed with nearly 60 years together. He built his life on the principles of faith, service, and work. Through his example he taught his children and grandchildren to love the Lord, serve others, work hard, and live a life of integrity.

Bruce loved his country and greatly respected those who served in the armed forces. He joined the Junior ROTC in high school, participating in the Rifle Drill Team, Sabre Drill Team, and was the Battalion Executive Officer his senior year. After returning from his mission, he joined the ROTC and after graduating from Utah State University, he received his commission in the United States Army, where he reached the rank of captain. Later in life he volunteered with the American Legion. A striking feature of his Logan home was the tall flagpole which became a landmark his neighbors used to give directions to visitors.

After his commission, Bruce served in Texas and Georgia with the Army. Following the Army, employment took him to Northern California, Southern California, Albuquerque, New Mexico, and finally back to Logan, Utah. He found his employment in Sales Management with Texaco and Premier especially rewarding. Later he became a Registered Investment Advisor and enjoyed assisting people plan for their retirement. Bruce and Alta raised their family in Thousand Oaks, California, where he served as a bishop of their LDS ward and many other church callings.

Bruce and Alta earned their Master M Man and Golden Gleaner awards in 1967. He and Alta found great joy in serving together as ordinance workers in the Logan, Utah temple. One of Bruce's spiritual gifts was the ability to give insightful prayers and blessings which touched the hearts of those who heard and received them. Bruce's testimony of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was strong and steadfast throughout his life. He firmly believed that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was restored by Jesus Christ through the prophet Joseph Smith with the proper authority to perform the necessary ordinances to bring us salvation in the Kingdom of God. He shared his testimony frequently and valued the opportunities he was given to be a leader in the service of others.

Bruce is survived by his devoted eternal companion Alta, his five children: Jeffrey (Heather), Joe (Lori), Chris (Masha), Ted (Jennifer) and Heidi Laurence Shaw (Darin), thirteen grandchildren: Iain and Axel; Naomi; Natalia, Christopher, Ivan, and Nikolas; Matthew, Adam, and Emma; Taylor, Parker, and Zachary, and his brother Brent Laurence, and sister Christie Laurence Ingham. He has been joyfully reunited with his parents, siblings Dennis and LaMoyne, and his youngest son Bruce James ("B.J.")

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 4th at 12 pm in the Henry Point Ward church, 680 S. 1250 W., Logan. There will be a viewing from 10 - 11:30 am. Interment will be in the Richmond Cemetery with Military Honors. Funeral services will be broadcast live at www.allenmortuaries.com

Funeral Services will be lived streamed and can be found with this link. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86553976309?pwd=Mzk5aU5xRHBCdjZTczM0Ry9zd2x4UT09