Lawrence Austin Channels, age 65 years, a resident of the Crystal Springs Community, Elkins, WV went home to meet his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Saturday morning, September 14, 2013 at the Hospice Care Regional Inpatient Unit at Elkins, WV with his family by his side, following a courageous battle with cancer.
He was born Saturday, January 3, 1948 at Baltimore, MD a son of the late Walter Nelson and Eva Louise Wilmoth Channels. On December 25, 1969 at Elkins, WV he was married to the former Patty Jo Mallow, who survives. They had celebrated forty-three years of marriage. Also surviving are two daughters, Melissa Jo Harman and husband Gregory Scott “Scottie”, of Gilman; Lourie Michelle Hommema and husband Brian, of Buckhannon; four brothers, Cecil Channels; Ray Channels and wife Linda; and Ralph Channels and wife Ellen, all of Elkins; Floyd Channels and wife Rose, of Parsons; one sister, Ann Schoonover, Elkins; four grandsons, Ryan; and Ben Harman; Brady; and Brycen Hommema; one granddaughter, Skylar Harman; and several nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death are two brothers, Robert “Bob”; and Earl Lee Channels; and two sisters, Betty Evans; and one infant.
He attended Elkins High School and was a veteran of the United States Army, serving two tours in Vietnam from 1966 to 1969. He was a construction worker, having been employed by Hathaway’s Construction, Channels Construction and Hutton Construction.
Lawrence was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved his grandchildren very much and enjoyed teaching them all about hunting and fishing. His family was his life. When he was not enjoying his time in the woods, he was hard at work in his garden. He was a member of the H. W. Daniel’s Post # 29, American Legion and the Landmark Baptist Church, where he was saved and baptized.
The family will receive friends at the Lohr & Barb Funeral Home of Elkins from 5 to 8 PM, Tuesday. Final Rites will be conducted at the funeral home, Wednesday, September 18, 2013 at 1:30 PM. The Rev. Dr. Ken Shiflet will officiate and interment will follow at the American Legions Little Arlington Cemetery at Cravensdale, WV where the West Virginia Army National Guard, Honor Guard Program, the H. W. Daniel’s Post # 29, American Legion and the Tygarts Valley Post # 3647, Veterans of Foreign Wars will conduct full military honors. The family suggests that expressions of sympathy be in the form of contributions to the Hospice Care Regional Inpatient Unit, 169 Diamond Street, Elkins, WV 26241.
