From the first day I moved to Florida, Lorne became part of my life. From NEHI to FSU and the worlds beyond, I will always have some wonderful memories. Rest in Peace dearest friend, until we meet again. Always
Lornie (which is how he spelled his name in elementary school) was part of the Allendale gang that came to Harris Elementary in my 4th-6th grades (maybe earlier). Lornie had a great smile, and was always a caring, gentle human being. He is the one who wrote "You're my hero" on the back of my 6th grade class photo. He had a kind heart. I have great memories in thinking back on how that boy grew up to be a wonderful, warm, caring man. I thoroughly enjoyed talking with him at a few of our reunions. Lornie, you were a class act, and memories of you will carry on. I know I will see you in Heaven, where we can talk about some of our Harris classmates, as well as Mr. Pierce.
Dr. Lawrence John Wenzel, born July 8, 1954, in Saint Petersburg, Florida, passed away peacefully on December 17, 2024, at the age of 70. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and servant of Christ, Lorne lived a life rich with purpose and love.
He is survived by his wife, Evelyn; his daughters, Anne, Lorna, and Sarah, son-in-law Taylor; his grandson, Cade, his soon to be born grandson, Lawson; and a community of friends, colleagues, and loved ones who were blessed to know him.
Lorne’s faith was the cornerstone of his life. He embodied Christ’s love through his actions, offering kindness, wisdom, and encouragement to all who knew him. Lorne dedicated his life to education and service, leading several christian schools as headmaster, including PineCastle Christian Academy in Orlando, Florida, and Pacific Academy in Vancouver, Canada. He supported the New Era Academy in Sol Korea, serving as adjunct faculty. He also served on the national board of ACSI and on the education committee for the PBS documentary Auschwitz.
A celebration of Lorne’s life will be held at Westminster Presbyterian on Monday December 23, 2024 at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to the Timothy Girls High School in Uganda linked here https://crm.bloomerang.co/HostedDonation?ApiKey=pub_09312580-6dc1-11ee-9c4a-0a56fd9f7ebb&WidgetId=107523 , continuing Lorne’s mission to transform lives through faith. If you decide to contribute, please include “in honor of Lorne Wenzel” in the comment box.
Lornie was a close friend since the seventh grade at Meadowlawn Junior High. In addition to school activities we were Boy Scouts together through Junior High and most of High School. We camped and shared a pup tent frequently with our troop at Fort De Soto, Myakka State Park and up on ranch land along the Pasco County line road when it was unpaved and not a building in sight. We spent many summers at Camp Soule and eventually Lornie spent his summers on the camp staff. I met his wonderful family of ladies a few times but the Boy Scouts of America hadn't opened the program for young ladies yet so he didn't have the chance to introduce his girls to Boy Scout activities. On the other hand, I first became a Scoutmaster in 1980. I am still a Scouts America (the new name of BSA) Scoutmaster and mention this as Lornie has been and will continue to be a scouting example that I regularly share with the boys, my troop of girls, and their parents. When the troop Lornie and I belonged to in 1970 folded due to a lack of adult leaders, Lornie transferred to another troop and earned his Eagle Award. On the other hand, despite a troop meeting at Lynch Elementary literally two doors from my house on 70th Circle North, I did not transfer troops and my merit badge sash is still three badges short of my earning Eagle. Lornie remains the GOOD example of what a scout should do as I retell the story at least yearly to various audiences. I also thank him and his family for loaning this kid a sports coat to wear on one of the Worldstride Tours missionary trips I made to Haiti in the summers of 1970 and 1971. His spirit remains alive in my heart and I'm sure in the hearts of so many.
Lorne lived a few house down from me (43rd Ave) from 4th grade through high school. He, Ricky Kurtz and I hung out quite a bit...along with Mike Williams, Pete Wells, Moe LeCompte, Mike Metzler, and Mark Andrews (referred to as the Allendale gang by Mike Mears)...also Billy Clayton a little later. Plus Janet Sando and Lynn McClain...all the same age...born 1954!
He was always the mature, level headed one, not interested in smoking...etc. Ironically, he was the one caught by police when we were pulling a fake snake across the road in front of cars. We all ran, but he got nabbed when the cops showed up.
I lost touch, but in 2020 (Mol) he told me he was moving into my neighborhood in Rock Hill!
I met his lovely family. Before we hung out much after the 50th, he got his bad health news.
I am grateful I got to visit him after. The last time was Sunday before he died that Tuesday. He couldn't talk a lot but held my hand tight for a while.
At his funeral I learned a lot about his full life, Dr. Wenzel
Leslie Alver (Russell)
From the first day I moved to Florida, Lorne became part of my life. From NEHI to FSU and the worlds beyond, I will always have some wonderful memories. Rest in Peace dearest friend, until we meet again. AlwaysMike Mears
Lornie (which is how he spelled his name in elementary school) was part of the Allendale gang that came to Harris Elementary in my 4th-6th grades (maybe earlier). Lornie had a great smile, and was always a caring, gentle human being. He is the one who wrote "You're my hero" on the back of my 6th grade class photo. He had a kind heart. I have great memories in thinking back on how that boy grew up to be a wonderful, warm, caring man. I thoroughly enjoyed talking with him at a few of our reunions. Lornie, you were a class act, and memories of you will carry on. I know I will see you in Heaven, where we can talk about some of our Harris classmates, as well as Mr. Pierce.
Wayne Wells
He is survived by his wife, Evelyn; his daughters, Anne, Lorna, and Sarah, son-in-law Taylor; his grandson, Cade, his soon to be born grandson, Lawson; and a community of friends, colleagues, and loved ones who were blessed to know him.
Lorne’s faith was the cornerstone of his life. He embodied Christ’s love through his actions, offering kindness, wisdom, and encouragement to all who knew him. Lorne dedicated his life to education and service, leading several christian schools as headmaster, including PineCastle Christian Academy in Orlando, Florida, and Pacific Academy in Vancouver, Canada. He supported the New Era Academy in Sol Korea, serving as adjunct faculty. He also served on the national board of ACSI and on the education committee for the PBS documentary Auschwitz.
A celebration of Lorne’s life will be held at Westminster Presbyterian on Monday December 23, 2024 at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to the Timothy Girls High School in Uganda linked here https://crm.bloomerang.co/HostedDonation?ApiKey=pub_09312580-6dc1-11ee-9c4a-0a56fd9f7ebb&WidgetId=107523 , continuing Lorne’s mission to transform lives through faith. If you decide to contribute, please include “in honor of Lorne Wenzel” in the comment box.
Art Williams
Lornie was a close friend since the seventh grade at Meadowlawn Junior High. In addition to school activities we were Boy Scouts together through Junior High and most of High School. We camped and shared a pup tent frequently with our troop at Fort De Soto, Myakka State Park and up on ranch land along the Pasco County line road when it was unpaved and not a building in sight. We spent many summers at Camp Soule and eventually Lornie spent his summers on the camp staff. I met his wonderful family of ladies a few times but the Boy Scouts of America hadn't opened the program for young ladies yet so he didn't have the chance to introduce his girls to Boy Scout activities. On the other hand, I first became a Scoutmaster in 1980. I am still a Scouts America (the new name of BSA) Scoutmaster and mention this as Lornie has been and will continue to be a scouting example that I regularly share with the boys, my troop of girls, and their parents. When the troop Lornie and I belonged to in 1970 folded due to a lack of adult leaders, Lornie transferred to another troop and earned his Eagle Award. On the other hand, despite a troop meeting at Lynch Elementary literally two doors from my house on 70th Circle North, I did not transfer troops and my merit badge sash is still three badges short of my earning Eagle. Lornie remains the GOOD example of what a scout should do as I retell the story at least yearly to various audiences. I also thank him and his family for loaning this kid a sports coat to wear on one of the Worldstride Tours missionary trips I made to Haiti in the summers of 1970 and 1971. His spirit remains alive in my heart and I'm sure in the hearts of so many.
Brett Taylor
Lorne lived a few house down from me (43rd Ave) from 4th grade through high school. He, Ricky Kurtz and I hung out quite a bit...along with Mike Williams, Pete Wells, Moe LeCompte, Mike Metzler, and Mark Andrews (referred to as the Allendale gang by Mike Mears)...also Billy Clayton a little later. Plus Janet Sando and Lynn McClain...all the same age...born 1954!He was always the mature, level headed one, not interested in smoking...etc. Ironically, he was the one caught by police when we were pulling a fake snake across the road in front of cars. We all ran, but he got nabbed when the cops showed up.
I lost touch, but in 2020 (Mol) he told me he was moving into my neighborhood in Rock Hill!
I met his lovely family. Before we hung out much after the 50th, he got his bad health news.
I am grateful I got to visit him after. The last time was Sunday before he died that Tuesday. He couldn't talk a lot but held my hand tight for a while.
At his funeral I learned a lot about his full life, Dr. Wenzel