Lawrence Joseph McFadden, Sr.'s Obituary
Oakland, CA/New Orleans, LA- Lawrence Joseph McFadden, 72, passed away at his home in Oakland on Friday,July 8th, 2016.
Lawrence, fondly known by friends and colleagues as “Mac”, was born at home on December 12th, 1943 in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was the son of World War II veteran, Robert McFadden Sr. and Amy Lily (Alexander)McFadden. He was baptized at Greater New Home Baptist Church.
Lawrence was raised in the 9th ward on Deslonde St. with his older brother and sister, Robert McFadden Jr. and Betty Jean McFadden. From an early age, his mother, Amy, instilled in him a love of reading and eloquent publicspeaking, which he would carry with him throughout his life. Those who were close to him, described him as astudious and athletic child who was full of ingenuity. At just twelve years old, he collected scrap wood and built ashoeshine stand- his first entrepreneurial endeavor.
He attended George Washington Carver High School in 1957, where he would go on to excel both academically and athletically. He was captain of the track and basketball team, co-captain of the football team and a proud, lifelong Carver Ram. In 1958, he would meet a beautiful young lady whose locker was adjacent to his, and eventually ask her to prom. At the time, he did not know that this young lady, Bertha Miles, would become his wife and life partner.
Lawrence and Bertha were married at Greater New Home Baptist Church on August 31st, 1963 while he was on a full athletic scholarship at Southern University. They moved to their home on Forstall Street where they would have their four children, Dorice, Lawrence Jr., Michele, and Gohn-Marie. Known for their unique style of swing dancing, Lawrence and Bertha opened a nightclub, The Black Coachman, across the street from their home.
Following the Civil Rights Act of 1964, he was among the first wave of black bus drivers hired in New Orleans in1965. During his time as a bus driver he faced rampant racial discrimination, which sparked his lifelongcommitment to the social issues of black people. He remained a bus driver until he, and his family, moved to Oakland, CA in 1971.
In 1973, he was hired at the UC Berkeley Police Department where he would eventually become a lieutenant. He retired early in 1987 due to a heart attack. However, with much life left to live, he recalled his childhood talent for building and creating. He became a self-taught contractor, from which he never retired. Following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, he purchased and rebuilt our family home on LaManche St. in the 9th ward. He and Bertha moved back home to New Orleans in 2009.
Throughout his life, Lawrence was loved and respected by his friends, colleagues, and community members. He was a kind and loving person who dedicated his life to his family, especially his grandchildren. A chat with him for hours over a bowl of Bertha’s gumbo and potato salad could brighten anyone’s day. He will be sorely missed.
He goes on to join his father, Robert McFadden Sr., mother, Amy Lily Alexander McFadden, sister, Betty Jean McFadden, and the generations of ancestors before him.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Bertha McFadden; his children, Dorice McFadden, Lawrence J. McFadden Jr. and Nella Goncalves, Michele and Fred Gatlin, Gohn-Marie McFadden, and daughter-in-law, Stacy McFadden; his grandchildren, Amy Wright, Rodney McFadden, Juwan Anthony McFadden, Jordan Ahmad McFadden, Jasmine Aaliyah McFadden (known by Papa as JAM City 1, 2, and 3), Jaylen Williams, Terri-Lynn McFadden,Sophia McFadden, Xavier McFadden and Brody McFadden (Family Dog); his brother, Robert McFadden Jr. and sister-in-law, Norma Jean McFadden; his aunt, Dorothy Alexander; countless nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws;and a host of friends, colleagues, and extended family.
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