Lawrence Daniel Funk

Lawrence “Dan” Funk, a long time Long Beach resident, passed away with his loving children at his side on September 1st, not long after celebrating his 102nd birthday. Dan was born in 1916 and moved frequently around southern California during his early years, but found stability after moving in with his grandparents in Wilmington and attending Phineas Banning High School, where he graduated in 1936. After working his way up from seasonal toy assembler to valued salesman at JC Penney in Wilmington, Dan volunteered to join the Army in 1941. He reported to Fort MacArthur for his induction into what turned out to be a 5-year stint that included time stationed at Fort Baker in the Marin headlands; Fort Rosecrans in San Diego, where he first became a life-long Mason and worked with the coastal defense naval intelligence unit; Camp Howze, Texas, where he narrowly missed being shipped out for the Battle of the Bulge; and finally, a tree-less stay on Adak, in the Aleutian Islands.

Post-WWII, after 5 years of courtship, he married his sweetheart, Virginia, thus beginning “the best years of my life”. Moving into their long-time home, their son, Larry, was soon born, followed by daughter, Janet. School years for the kids brought many new and wonderful friendships that remain to this day, and summers filed with travel trailer adventures in the western US. Thanksgivings spent in Yosemite became a special family tradition, with four ultimately joined by more when Janet married (Jeff) and welcomed twins. Dan worked for Mobil Oil for 33 years, where he literally became the poster boy for safe driving, delivering gasoline to stations around southern California, until beginning what would become 40 years of retirement.

Retirement brought new pleasures, including extra time for outdoor activities, playing golf and puttering in the yard. Travel horizons expanded and included trips that Dan and Virginia took to visit the kids at various places around the globe, including upstate New York, Washington DC, Canada, France, England and Scotland. After losing his beloved wife, Virginia, Dan entered a new chapter of life that he filled with more time spent with Bob, his best friend from high school, golfing, attending senior music class at LB City College, and eating out, with the two becoming fixtures around Long Beach’s breakfast scene until their late 90s. New friends were made while working out at the LB Senior Center, and years of safe driving paid off when Dan renewed his driver’s license and bought a new car at age 100. When asked to what he attributed his good health and longevity, Dan would quip that if he knew, he would bottle it, quickly followed by the advice to “be good to others, and they will be good to you”.

Dan was kind and gentle and good. He touched the lives of all who knew him by his example, and left the world a better place. He will be sorely missed by his loving family and friends. Preceded in death by his beloved wife, Virginia, and brother, Jack, Dan leaves behind his devoted son and great friend, Larry, his loving daughter, Janet (Jeff), and grandsons, Matthew and Spencer, who were blessed to have their grandfather see them grow to become fine young men. The family offers their special thanks to all the wonderful people who helped Dan in his later years when limitations set in. A grave-side service will be held at 12:30pm on Friday, September 14th at Forest Lawn, 1500 E San Antonio, Long Beach, CA  90807. A gathering to celebrate Dan’s life will be held immediately following at his home. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate a donation to your favorite charity in his memory.

Luyben Dilday Mortuary (562) 425-6401