Laurence Edward Brockway

Laurence Edward “Brock” Brockway, passed away at home in Belle Plaine, Friday, September 12, 2014, surrounded by family and friends. He was born in Cleo Springs, Oklahoma, November 20, 1933. After graduation from Cleo Springs High School he served in the United States Air Force Security Service, 6913th Radio Squadron Mobile where he was stationed in Germany during the Korean Conflict. Brock graduated from Henderson State University, Arkadelphia, Arkansas, where he met his wife, Jean. While at Henderson he served as president of Kappa Sigma Kappa and as a student senator. Brock attended the University of Missouri, Columbia, and became an enthusiastic Mizzou fan while studying chemistry and biology. He loved music, theatre and being with family and friends. Brock was an avid sportsman; playing basketball in high school and the Air Force, racing an Austin Healy Sprite, and golfing with great friends. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing and sailing. Brock was an educator, teaching chemistry and biology in Missouri and Kansas. He coached little league baseball, and middle and high school basketball and track. He was the first Education Coordinator at Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital in El Dorado. After retiring, Brock and his wife moved to Belle Plaine. He was a member of Belle Plaine United Methodist Church, Belle Plaine Helping Hands, and served as a member of the Belle Plaine Community Foundation. Survivors include his wife, Jean, of the home, his daughter Laura Brockway, of El Dorado, grandson, Cory Koehn of Wichita; his son, Daniel Brockway, and wife Julia Mabry Brockway and grandchildren, Trevor and Addison Brockway, of El Dorado. Other survivors are brother, Stanley Brockway and wife, Jan, of Huntsville, Alabama; sister, Toni Brockway Purdy and husband, Hessel, of Tonkawa, Oklahoma; sister in-law, Dr. Viki Bettis and husband David of Abingdon, Virginia, and beloved nieces and nephews. Brock was preceded in death by his mother and father, Ida and Joe Brockway and brother, Ron Brockway. Visitation will be Thursday, September 18, viewing from 1 to 8 p.m. with family from 5 to 7 p.m. at Hatfield-Smith Mortuary in Belle Plaine. The service of remembrance on Friday, September 19, 2 p.m. at Belle Plaine United Methodist Church will be followed with burial at Belle Plaine Cemetery. Memorials may be sent to the Belle Plaine UMC We Care Dinners.