Laurence Edward Nightingale Sr.

Laurence Edward Nightingale was born on June 2, 1943, to William Earl Nightingale, Sr. and Naomi Nightingale, Sr. at John Gaston Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. When he was only one year old, his family moved to Santa Monica, California, where he was raised, with the exception of several formative childhood years spent in Rutledge, Georgia, with his grandmother Lena Maud Hubbard and extended family. Those years in the rural South shaped his humor, work ethic, confidence, and deep sense of family and belonging. 

Laurence loved sports. Influenced by his uncles Porter and Jesse, who played baseball in Georgia, he developed a lifelong appreciation for athleticism and teamwork. He played Little League Baseball in Santa Monica and football at Santa Monica High School, and he bowled in several leagues well into adulthood - nearly until the onset of his illness. 

His love of Western films also began in Georgia, where he watched cowboy movies at his Uncle Richard's home - the only television in that community. He especially loved The Lone Ranger, Red Ryder, and other classic Westerns, and he carried that passion throughout his life, often recalling the actors and films by name. Western movies remained one of his great sources of comfort and joy. 

Laurence attended Garfield Elementary School, John Adams Junior High, and graduated from Santa Monica High School in 1961. The friendships he formed there became lifelong bonds that remained woven into his life. 

He began working at an early age. At 14, he delivered newspapers, and after high school he worked as a fry cook before being drafted into the U.S. Army in 1965. He was honorably discharged in 1967 and began a long career in the grocery industry, working for Safeway and later Von's Markets. He retired in 1998 through the Southern California United Food and Commercial Workers Union. 

After retirement, Laurence studied psychology and drug counseling at UCLA and earned a Certificate of Completion, allowing him to counsel others - something he naturally loved and excelled at. He had a gift for conversation and guidance, often offering advice to friends and even strangers who felt drawn to his warmth and wisdom. 

Laurence was known for his beloved 1972 Dodge van, which carried him and his friends on annual birthday trips for over 30 years to San Diego, Tijuana, Rosarito Beach, and Puerto Nuevo. His sister Naomi was his trusted co-pilot on many of those journeys. 

Music was another great passion. He loved R&B, blues, jazz, and country and attended countless festivals and concerts, including the Kool Jazz Festival, Long Beach Blues Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival, and performances at the Hollywood Bowl, the Forum, and the Palladium. He loved to dance - especially to the Gap Band - and treasured his extensive music collection. 

Laurence lived with courage, dignity, and joy, even as he battled cancer beginning in 2016. He faced life with strength, humor, and grace, maintaining his clarity and spirit without complaint. He often said, "I ain't no p -- MF'er!" - a declaration of his resilience and pride. He had a good heart. He was a good man. 

Laurence leaves to cherish his memory his longtime partner, Linda Nettles; his children: Chermonique Moreland El (Rene), Christopher Allen Nightingale (Mylene); and Laurence Edward Nightingale, Jr.; grandchildren Bryant, Krishera, Jaakiyah, Aqueel, Hasan, Erin, and Remy. He is also survived by his sisters Margie Nightingale Holmes, Naomi Nightingale, Jr., and Sylvia Allen; brothers Taylor Nightingale, Jeffrey Frazier, and Antonio Frazier; nephews Mario Manigo, Brian Jackson, Marlon Holmes, Brandon Hardman, William Nightingale III, and Jeff Frazier, Jr.; nieces Felicia J. Nightingale-Loot, Jamila F. Nightingale-Smith, Mary Himes, Anissa Walker, Erica Nightingale, and Ashley Frazier; his great-niece Kinadie Simone with whom he shared a deeply special bond and helped raise; and a host of other family and dear friends...as he would always say, 10-4.