Laurence Joseph Maloney Jr.

Laurence Joseph Maloney Jr. of Fort Worth passed away on April 21, 2023 at Health Harris Methodist Hospital Southwest Fort Worth. Loved by many, Laurence left an impression on all that had the privilege of knowing him. He was kind, generous, and loving. He had a wicked sense of humor. Even with all his many accomplishments and accolades received both socially and professionally, family had always been the most important part of his life. Laurence enjoyed traveling and socializing. He never met anyone he did not want to get to know better. He was a role model, a friend, a mentor, and always thoughtful of others. This is evident by all the cards he sent to so many of us during his lifetime.
Laurence was born in San Antonio, Texas on Dec. 23, 1934. He was the first child of Laurence and Melba (Schmid) Maloney. Survived by brother, Gerald and sister, Patricia (Susie). His brother Donnie passed shortly after birth. LJ grew up in San Antonio where his father worked for Southern Pacific, thus beginning Laurence’s love of trains. He attended grade school at Sr. Paul’s Lutheran School. Laurence graduated from Brackenridge High School in 1951 at the age of 16. He started working at the Lackland Air Force Base in base supply. He met and married Patsy Ruth Hassman in 1954 and they were married 47 years until her death in September 2001. Together Laurence and Pat had one daughter, Laura Jo Worsham (Dan). Laurence doted on and loved his four grandchildren Kimberly Gallant (Matthew) of Los Angeles, Carlye Worsham of Amarillo, Laurence (Alex) Worsham of Amarillo and Ethan Worsham, currently attending college at Shenandoah Conservatory. Laurence was proud of their many accomplishments and attended all activities in which the four were involved. He happily attended plays, sports, recitals, vacations, musicals and graduations. He was always ready to share his most recent photos. He loved to share his pride and joy with everyone he met. He was also Papaw to three great-grandchildren, Taeghan Worsham, Josephine Gallant and Simon Gallant all of whom he loved very much and was very proud. Laurence also was active in the lives of his nieces and nephews, Jerry Maloney, Jr. (Michelle), Judy Tribble (Brad), Joe Maloney (John), Tommy Buchanan, Dr. Chris Buchanan (Amy), Bryan Curry (Whitney) and Sean Curry. Laurence was a member of the Texas National Guard moving to the rank of Sergeant before his honorable discharged in 1960. Laurence will be missed by his family and many friends.
Laurence held a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering degree from the University of Texas. He was a registered Professional Engineer since 1964, holding licenses in multiple states. Laurence authored several articles for lighting publications, and contributed to Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Handbooks. He was a Senior Member of IEEE, and a Fellow of the IESNA. He served at the IES local chapter President and National Vice President.
He began his engineering career working for TESCO in Wichita Falls. He later moved to Eastland and finally to Arlington where he was the Chief Distribution Engineer at the Arlington office. He began consulting engineering with Cowan. Love and Jackson, eventually moving into a managing partnership with Friberg, Alexander, Maloney, Gipson and Weir. He worked on many projects including sports lighting, city lighting projects and hospital electrical distribution systems. He was also a Principal and Electrical Engineering Manager at Maloney Associates Consulting Engineers for eight years, working with his brother Jerry, niece Judy and nephew Jerry, Jr. He then moved to Shreveport, LA to work as Chief Engineer for Siebe/Invensys Contractors, soliciting, contracting, and supervising architects and engineers for Design-Build services. Laurence was employed with MULTATECH for the last 23 years and was a Principal, managing MULTATECH’s Fort Worth Electrical Engineering Department. With more than 60 years of Electrical Engineering experience, he continued to provide design and project management expertise related to commercial, industrial and institutional construction projects until his death. Major projects include the DFW Central Plant Expansion and BNSF Tunnel Project in Montana.
Laurence was an active member of the Moslah Shrine and played the tambourine for many years in the Bedouin Oriental Band. He was also a member of the Royal Order of Jesters. He participated in many Shriner activities including raising money for Shrine Hospitals, selling ads and working at the Shrine Circus and other local and statewide projects. He was Shriner of the Year in 2021, a distinguished honor that made him very proud. He was also very active in the Elks Club of Fort Worth. He attended weekly dances and card games. He was in charge of ordering and keeping on hand all the cleaning supplies for the local lodge – a job of which he was very proud. Laurence was also a member of the Mercedes and Porsche Car Clubs. He enjoyed working on cars for many years and later driving his own convertibles. He loved steam engine trains and made many rides including traveling by steam engine in Ecuador and Peru to see Machu Picchu. He loved to go on cruises and visited Hawaii, the Bahamas, Jamaica and even went on a cruise through the Panama Canal. He took his oldest granddaughter on a trip to the UK and France. His whole family has been on wonderful vacations to Disney, San Francisco, New York and most recently Winchester, Va.
Laurence was successful in all facets of his life. He lived to the fullest until the last moment. He never quit being curious, always supported a good cause, and loved his family the most. He will be missed by so many people whose lives he made better just by being himself; an engineer, friend, brother, uncle, Daddy and Papaw.
Laurence was preceded in death by his parents Laurence and Melba Maloney, his wife Pat, and an infant brother Donnie.
Survivors include daughter Laura Jo Worsham and husband Dan, grandchildren Kimberly Gallant (Matthew), Carlye Worsham, Laurence (Alex) Worsham and Ethan Worsham, great grandchildren Taeghan Worsham, Josephine Laurence Gallant and Simon Gallant, sister Patricia (Susie) Maloney and brother Gerald G. Maloney and nieces and nephews Jerry Maloney, Jr. (Michelle Singleton), Judy Tribble (Brad), Joe Maloney (John Nassab), Tommy Buchanan, Dr. Chris Buchanan (Amy), Bryan Curry (Whitney) and Sean Curry.
A memorial services will be held at Lucas Funeral Home in Hurst (1321 Precinct Line Road) on Saturday, June 3rd at 10:30 a.m. with reception at Lucas Funeral Home to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Shriners Children Hospital or Amarillo Little Theatre.