A memorial graveside service for 95-year old Lawrence “Doc” Rustin, of the Creswell community, will be at 3:00 Sunday afternoon, April 2, at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Caldwell County.
Morgan’s Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Rustin passed away March 26, 2023 at Livingston Hospital. Lawrence was born September 22, 1927, to the late Gideon Rustin and Willie Frances Campbell. He attended Donaldson Baptist Church and was part of the Class of 1946 at Fredonia High School. Lawrence was a United States Army Veteran and was part of the Stonewall Jackson 17th infantry.
Lawrence was the true definition of the greatest generation. He knew what a hard day of work was, working all day laying brick and block and then coming home to tend to the cattle and hogs. He worked until he was 90, most often out-working the younger generations who worked alongside him. He trained several young men in the art of bricklaying. One of his sayings was, “You don’t have to work; you get to work.”
He loved to share the gospel on the worksite, often witnessing to those for whom he was working. He could be heard on the job singing hymns and “little ditties” he made up. He often quoted the Bible, but when we would drive by a field of cows, we could always expect his paraphrase of Psalms 50: “The cattle on a thousand hills are mine, thus sayeth The Lord.” He loved to garden, always growing enough to share with others in his church and community. Planning those gardens helped him make it through the winter, spending hours with his seed catalogs, carefully crafting his plan.
He was blessed with a couple of lives: once knocked out by a hog, heaven only knows how long he was out before awakening and driving home, only to have to go get stitches. Another time on the job site, he was hit in the head with a cinder block, but his pith helmet saved him. He walked Walmart to keep in health after his retirement, always giving his family the updated grocery prices. While many thought he was just a grumpy old man, something he seemed to revel in at times, too many others, he was just a big ole softy.
He is survived by one daughter, Darlene (Eric) LaRue of Salem; two sons, Anthony (Kay) Rustin of Caldwell County, Jonathan (Faith) Rustin of Caldwell County; one brother, Everett (Pat) Rustin of Princeton; grandchildren, Jeff Rustin, Michelle Rustin, Mendy Patterson, Mary Beth Pyle; great-grandchildren, Collin Ennis, Breann Pyle, Ally Pyle, Ireland Baker and Haiden Baker and one great-great grandchild.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy June Rustin; sister, Thelma Cook; brothers, Eldon, John Paul and Clarence Rustin; great-grandchild, Logan Ennis.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to Pleasant Hill Cemetery, c/o Dana Hobby, 300 E. Green St. Princeton, KY 42445.
