Lawrence Hornby, aged 85, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family on October 22, 2026. He was born to Frank and Sarah-Alene Hornby in Paterson New Jersey on November 22,1940. Lawrence lived a remarkably vibrant and purposeful life dedicated to his family, his faith, and a relentless spirit of adventure.

Lawrence met his wife, Patricia Moore, at the University of Tennessee. The two embarked on a beautiful journey together, sharing 59 years of marriage. As a proud alumnus, Lawrence remained a lifelong, passionate supporter of his alma mater.

A brilliant mind and explorer at heart, Lawrence built a distinguished career as a biochemical engineer. His work took him to various companies and allowed him to travel the world. Before his engineering days, he worked as a logger in Alaska to earn money for college, and his thirst for exploration later led him to canoe the Amazon River. He was a master storyteller who captivated friends and family with tales of his global adventures. In the final decade of his career, Lawrence shared his wealth of knowledge as an educator, teaching at Texas A&M TEEX.

Above all his professional achievements, Lawrence was devoted to his faith and his family. He leaves behind a legacy of love, resilience, and captivating stories that will be cherished for generations.

Lawrence was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Patricia Hornby; his daughter, Sarah Perry; and his niece, Darlene Aschwanden.

He is survived by his sister, Janice Aschwanden (Bob); his daughters, Debbie (Bob Wilson) and Elizabeth (Kenneth Otis); and his son-in-law, Ronnie Perry. He was the proud grandfather of 7 grandchildren and the doting great-grandfather of 13 great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind numerous beloved nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

A memorial service celebrating Lawrence’s full and wonderful life will be held at DeBerry Funeral Directors on Saturday, November 21, 2026, at 2:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in his memory to the First United Methodist Church of Denton, Texas.