Lawrence Deratzian

Lawrence Deratzian, 90 of Morganton, NC and a former Troy, NY resident died Thursday, January 24, 2013 at Valdese Hospital. Born June 27, 1922 in Watervliet, NY, he was the son of Manoog and Hermena Galonian Deratzian. Lawrence was a graduate of Watervliet High School and while working on a degree in physics at Sienna College, he was inducted into the U.S. Army during World War II. He served in the European Theater including Normandy, the Ardennes, Central Europe, Northern France, and the Rhineland. For his service he received the World War II Victory Medal, the American Service Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and a Bronze Star. While in service he attended the University of Illinois where he learned the fundamentals of engineering. Following the war he attended RCA Technical Institute, and owned an electronics sales and service business in Troy, NY. He was baptized in the Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church, in which he was a life long member. He was a member of First Advent Christian Church in Morganton for the last twenty-five years. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a daughter, Lisa Murphy; and sisters, Leona Deratzian, Florence Avakian, Dorothy Schimmel, and Hripseme Demangate.Surviving are his wife of fifty-three and a half years, Ramona Avanelle Smith Deratzian of the home; a son, David L. Deratzian and wife, Allison of North Wales, PA; grandchildren, Kimber Marie Murphy and Michael Murphy both of Staunton, VA; a sister-in-law, Betty Braddock of Florida; a brother-in-law, Dwight Smith and wife, Diane of Old Hickory, TN; four nieces and six nephews and a number of cousins in N.Y.A Service of Remembrance will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, January 28, 2013 at First Advent Christian Church with the Rev. Adrian Shepherd and Mr. Patrick Bradshaw officiating. Military honors will be provided by the N. C. National Guard and the Caldwell County Veterans Honor Guard. Memorial gifts may be made to First Advent Christian Church Building Fund, 211 Lenoir Rd., Morganton, NC 28655 or to the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 43, P. O. Box 572, Morganton, NC 28680. Sossoman Funeral Home & Crematory Center is assisting the family.