Laurence was born on April 22, 1931, in Fruita, Colorado, to Lawrence Joseph and Mary Odelia (Serve) Karp. He spent his childhood in Fruita and was a resident of the Grand Valley his entire life. On February 10, 1953, he married Betty Marie Balbach in Grand Junction. They celebrated 64 years of marriage before Betty’s passing in 2017.
Laurence loved spending time at his mountain cabin on Vega Lake, riding his snowmobile and working with his John Deer tractor. He also enjoyed camping and playing on his 4-wheeler in the Utah desert with his Salt Lake family. He loved being with family and friends. He was kindhearted and a lot of fun. He had an incredible amount of skill and knowledge and there wasn’t anything he couldn’t accomplish. Laurence established the Bear Frame and Axle service business in 1969, which was well known and respected in the community and had an impeccable reputation for honest quality work. He retired in 1990.
Laurence is survived by his sister, RoseAnn McCormick of Sandy, Utah; sister-in-law, Bonnie Karp (James E. Karp); and numerous nieces and nephews and godchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Mary Karp; wife, Betty; and two brothers, James E. Karp, who passed in 2018, and Roy Karp, who passed in 2016.
A graveside service will take place on Monday, May 13, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at Grand Junction Memorial Gardens, 2970 North Avenue, Grand Junction, CO 81504.
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