The Patriarch of the Laurie Clan passed away this past Monday and we come together to celebrate his life.After leaving for the navy three days after graduating from high school in 1948, he continued to remember his family back home in Grenola Kansas, for many years. Each of his sisters, because of his generosity, was invited to see the world outside of Elk County by their brother, after their graduation.He was known by many names. Daddy, Pops, Uncle Milt, Cookie, Milty, and Mother Laurie. Those who served with him that had served on other ships said that "Mother Laurie' as his shipmates called him, made sure that his galley (Navy talk for kitchen) turned out the finest food in the navy—and for those who have never been in the Navy—Submariners had little limits on the budget for food."Cookie" was tough. He spent five years on the Sub—The USS Diodon, longer than any other sea duty that he served. Aboard the Diodon, he was a part of the "silent cold war" navy, which protected us while we slept. A good idea of what he did during those years is chronicled in the book "Blind Mans Bluff" the untold story of submarine espionage. He has seen the shores of Vladivostok, USSR through a periscope, later enduring many hours of depth charges, by an enemy looking for the silent sub that lay in silence on the ocean floor. He would, in a heartbeat, teach you the difference between a ship and a boat. Subs are boats—the rest are ships!!!"Mother Laurie," who was only about 29 years old at the time, cared for his men—in ways far beyond what he fed them. He always was a source of encouragement to young men around him, telling them to further their education.He served faithfully on five ships, the USS Rowan, the Tillamook, the Diodon, the Yellowstone, the Arcadia, and the Harlan Dixon. During the times at sea, he fought the loneliness of separation from his wife and children. He also served stateside in California, Illinois, Alaska, and Rhode Island. On many occasions, he went to sea, enduring the loneliness of separation , leaving them with his Navy family or sister.Milton retired from the Navy in 1968, and spent many years in the food service industry, working for several large corporations and colleges, in charge of food service for of sometimes thousands people a day before his retirement at age 62.On one memorable trip, he traveled to a Christian retreat in Chapel Hill, NC. It was on that trip, which he later shared, that he re-dedicated his life to serving The Lord. That faith served him very well, as his health failed in later years.He continued to travel, after the death of his wife, visiting his children, friends, shipmates, relatives and sisters in New York, Florida, Kansas, Georgia, and other states.Two years ago, he arrived in Kansas, intending to spend a few weeks. He spent the next five months, in and out of the hospital, before moving to the Kansas Veterans Home in Winfield.His "final ministry" was encouraging the staff and nurses that cared for him. With his food service background, he became a permanent advisor, helping make sure that the food not only tasted good, but looked good.In his the past months, on many occasions, he shared with those close to him, that his time was drawing near. Never did he ever feel sorry for himself.He is with us today, in spirit only. He has, in the words of his shipmates, departed for his final and eternal patrol.Because of his faith in the Lord, he did not fear death. Because of his faith, he looked forward to each new day. Because of his faith, he enriched the lives of everyone around him. Because of his faith, he is, as we gather in his celebration, waiting for each of us who have prepared, to join him in his heavenly home.

In memory of my wonderful brother-in-law, who strongly encouraged and helped his sister, my wife, Wanda, to leave home to attend college. After her graduation, she became a teacher, where I met and later married her. Without his deed, I would have never met my wife, and been blessed with my family. Love you, Milton!

FINAL PATROL

I have one consolation that lives with me today.
That God is near to them, in his own special way.
So God in all Your mercy, keep near Thyself the soul,
Of every Submariner, still on his final patrol.

Lord, this departed shipmate with dolphins on his chest,
Is part of an outfit known as the best.
Make him welcome and take him by the hand.
Along with his shipmates, he was the best in all the land.

So, heavenly Father, add his name to the roll,
Of our departed shipmates still on patrol.
Let them know that we who survive,
Will always keep their memories alive