Lawrence Robert Millar
January 18, 1938 – September 26, 2021 (age 83)
Lawrence Robert Millar, of Spruce Grove, Alberta, went to join his beloved Penny on September 26,
2021 at age 83.
Born on January 18, 1938 in Jasper, Alberta, the youngest son to parents Ellen and James Millar,
Lawrence grew up in a loving home with siblings Harvey, Fern (Hone), Richard and Alice (Spurgeon).
Lawrence was predeceased by the love of his life, Penny Flesher in May 2020, his parents Ellen and
James, his siblings Harvey, Richard and Alice, and sadly also by his son David Millar in 2019.
Lawrence is survived by nine of his ten children: son Benjamin Millar, daughter Leane Schoepp (spouse,
Curtis), his son Mark Millar, his daughter Lorna Price (spouse, David), his daughter Annmarie Garby
(spouse, Jim Martin), his son Adam Millar, his son Kenneth Millar, his son Daniel Millar, and daughter
Amber Millar. He is also survived by his grandchildren Seth, Caleb, Jalissa, Tash, Erin, Lauren, Noah,
Jericho, Nathaneal, and great-grandchildren Rylan, Archer, Layla, Merek, Ryker, Myla, Carter and Joshua.
Additionally, Lawrence is survived by innumerable foster children numbering in the hundreds.
Being raised in Jasper, Alberta, Lawrence developed a life-long love for the region and always made sure
to go back to visit the area whenever possible. He loved the majesty of the mountains and took every
opportunity to go back to spend time enjoying and absorbing their beauty. Lawrence often took his
entourage of children with him to this place that was so beloved and sacred to him. As a young man, he
had a passion for classic cars and spent countless hours as a member of a classic cars club which
ultimately sparked his interest and passion for mechanics.
As a young man, Lawrence had an adventurous spirit and obtained his recreational pilot’s license, an
activity that he dearly loved. He also had an aptitude for mechanics and eventually became a certified
heavy duty mechanic. Lawrence became a teacher, and taught mechanics and mathematics at WP
Wagner School in Edmonton. This training paved the way for Lawrence to eventually reveal his
entrepreneurial side with the opening of Millar Automotive in Spruce Grove. After many wonderful
years in business, Lawrence eventually took his talents to TransAlta where he worked until his
retirement at age 65.
On August 27, 1960, Lawrence married his one true love, Penny. She was the light of his life and his
adoration for her had no bounds, and he was her “main man” to the very end. When Penny and
Lawrence realized they would be unable to have biological children, they adopted their first two
children. This sparked a love in their hearts that would forever change the courses of their lives and
those of hundreds of children over the years to come. They began to foster children, providing a safe
and loving home for some of the most difficult foster situations that few were up to task. No challenge
was too great for this deeply loving and caring couple. Lawrence’s dedication to fostering was second
only to his love for Penny, which went hand in hand. They were a strong, dedicated, devoted and loving
team. Together they fostered hundreds of children in an astonishing career that spanned over five
decades. Even after being the proud recipients of a lifetime achievement award at the 50-year mark,
they persevered and served the community and these children literally until their last breaths. Penny
and Lawrence not only cared for hundreds of children entrusted to them over those years, but also
adopted eight of their fosters which gave them a wonderful family of 10.
Lawrence was a man of deep faith, and his life revolved around his love for Penny and his many children.
He had an incredibly big heart and was the strongest yet gentlest man. He devoted his life to caring for
everyone around him, sought no accolades and expected nothing in return. Lawrence believed in
everyone and gave his love freely to those who often neither sought nor deserved it in return. He was a
devoted and loving husband and father who was always ready, willing and able to help out in any way
possible. Even after the devastating loss of his one true love in May of 2020, despite enduring an
invisible battle with cancer, Lawrence continued to be a beacon of love and light to the foster children
left in his care. He was larger than life and his passing is a profound loss to not only his family but to the
community at large which he served through his devotion and dedication to their foster children.
We cannot express our grief over the loss of such an indescribably wonderful man, but we can express
our gratitude for everything he has done for each and every one of us and acknowledge the profoundly
positive impact he has made in this world. Our dad was extraordinary, and we are humbled and gracious
to have had the honor of enjoying his presence in our lives. We are extremely proud of him and our grief
is tempered by knowing he is no longer suffering in his physical body, but is happily reunited with his
one true love, safely basking in the love and glory of the Lord who he so humbly and completely served
on this earth.
Serenity Funeral Service, Spruce Grove 780.962.2749
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de MILLAR Lawrence Robert September 26 2021..
Décès pour la Ville: Edmonton, Province: Alberta