Our beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle and longtime friend, Lawrence Motte, age 90, passed away January 8, 2024 in Price.
He was born July 28, 1933 in Price, Utah to Louis and Teresa Listello Motte. Married Beverly Grace Hawkins, December 9, 1957 in Las Vegas, Nevada; she died June 19, 2004 after 47 years of marriage.
Lawrence lived in Carbon County his entire life, attending school in Wellington and Price. He grew up helping his dad herd sheep and spent his summers in Minnie Maude. As a child he spent a lot of time with his maternal grandparents (Che and Nona) who were direct descendants of Italy and learned to speak Italian from them and enjoyed having conversations with them in Italian when visiting.
After returning home from the Navy in 1953, Lawrence purchased his farm and took up farming and raising sheep, in addition to working in the coal mines.
In 1957 he married the love of his life, Beverly Grace Hawkins. He fell in love with her the first time he saw her at Blondie’s Café in Wellington where she worked as a cook. Lawrence and Beverly added onto their home and expanded the farm between Price and Wellington and are the parents of four children, two boys and two girls. He was happiest when with his family at his cabin in Minnie Maude and touring the four-wheeler trails of Utah.
Lawrence worked as a coal miner most of his life at several mines in Carbon and Emery counties and was a retired member of the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) Valley Camp Local #6788, where he was a member for over 50 years.
Lawrence is survived by one son and two daughters, Larry Albert Motte, Price, Merlene (Curt) Archibald, Mona, UT, Darlene (Chris) Evans, Price; brother, Gary (Nancy) Motte, Price; sister, Camilla (Harold) Pruitt, Price; sisters-in-law, Carol Blackburn, Linda Hawkins, both of Wellington; nine grandchildren, Devin (Miranda), Hayden, Shaylee (Addison), Bracken (Bailey), Brandon, Hailey, Riley (Spencer), Karson (Abbie), and Brinlee (Jax); five great-grandchildren, Norah, Elowyn, Alaina, Emerald and Bria.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Beverly Motte; son, Danny Joe Motte; and a brother, Albert (Carla) Motte.
Funeral service, Saturday, January 13, 2024, 11:00 a.m., Mitchell Funeral Home (233 East Main Street) in Price where the family will receive friends one hour prior to service. Burial will be in the Wellington City Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price and Huntington where friends are always welcome daily and may share memories of Lawrence online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net.