CAMDEN — Delmer Lemoyne "Del" Lawrence was born in Richmond, Va., June 4, 1940, and died April 18, 2013, in his home in Camden, surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with cancer.

He was the son of Henry Cummings Lawrence and Louise Vaughan Lawrence and was predeceased by his brothers, Herbert Lawrence and Dana Lawrence.

After graduating from Furman University in South Carolina, he proudly served his country in the Army as a second lieutenant. He was called back into service during the Desert Storm Gulf War as a logistic specialist and was awarded multiple awards, including the Legion of Merit. He retired from the reserves as a lieutenant colonel in 1992. After his initial military service, he became a management intern for NASA and later worked as a management analyst for the Food and Drug Administration. During this time he also pursued a master's degree in public administration from the University of Oklahoma. He continued his career by working for the Surgeon General and in 1982 he was appointed executive director for a health care task force under Gov. Bob Graham of Florida.

In 1984, Del, his wife, Charlotte, and their children purchased a bed and breakfast called The Nutmeg Inn in Wilmington, Vt., which they operated until 1996. They moved to Florida, but as they missed New England, they decided to return. They purchased another bed and breakfast, the Camden Windward House, in Camden in 1999. In 2003, they sold the Inn, but decided to stay in Camden.

Del ran track in college and was an avid fan of college basketball, a sport that he enjoyed playing as much as watching. He also loved skiing and playing golf, particularly with friends each spring in Myrtle Beach for 35 years. Del also loved to travel and was fortunate enough to experience trips to Spain, Scotland, cruises to the Caribbean and Panama Canal, and his last trip was a cruise to Alaska with all his grandchildren, a place he had always wanted to visit. He and Charlotte were also able to spend many wonderful winters visiting family and friends in North Carolina, Georgia and Florida in their fifth wheel trailer (RV)...a home away from home that allowed them to bring their beloved family pets.

Del was a beloved husband, father and grandfather who was kind and compassionate to all, with a special love for animals that has been passed on to his children and grandchildren.

Del leaves his wife of 35 years; and his daughters, Janie Nelson and her husband, Sam, Joanna Lawrence and her husband, Juan Gil, and Alyson Michaud and her husband, John; as well as five grandchildren, Robert, Daniel, and Hope Nelson, and Ariana and Olivia Gil.

A memorial service will be announced at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to Kno-Wal-Lin Hospice, 170 Pleasant St., Rockland, ME 04841.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the Lawrence family by visiting their book of memories at www.longfuneralhomecamden.com.

Arrangements are with Long Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Camden.