Lawrence Harold Switzer, age 93, of Dixon, was born on October 15, 1930, in Maries County, a son of Levy and Sarah Elizabeth (Shelton) Switzer and departed this life on Saturday, August 3, 2024, at his residence.

Harold was united in marriage on August 17, 1967, at St. Robert to Miss Carolyn Jane Shelden, who preceded him in death on October 29, 2013. In addition to Carolyn, he was preceded in death by two daughters, Pamela Jane Switzer on September 3, 1968, and infant Switzer; his father, Levy on July 11, 1978; his mother Sarah "Bessie" on March 8, 1986; and his brother, William Thomas "Bill" Switzer on October 26, 2019.

Harold was a 1948 graduate of Dixon High School, was baptized in the late 1960's and was a member of the First Baptist Church, Dixon.

On May 25, 1951, Harold entered into the United States Marine Corp and faithfully served his country during the Korean Conflict until his honorable discharge on April 29, 1954. He was a member of the American Legion Post No. 298 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 4238, both of Dixon. He enjoyed his time in the service, and had said if it wasn't for the Military him and Brother Bill would have never traveled and seen parts of the world. He was a lifelong farmer and cattle producer in Maries County, carpenter, brick laborer, and had worked in the Waynesville School system as a janitor.

Harold had a great arrowhead collection, and he always enjoyed displaying and talking about them. As a teenager, Harold would walk the creeks and newly turned up fields in search of arrowheads. Harold would say, "Searching for those is what kept me busy and out of trouble." Harold's other passion was farming. What started out as growing short corn and few dairy cows with his father, turned into a lifetime and multi-generational hard work with many life lessons learned. He was invested in the family farm until the day of his passing. Harold always enjoyed visitors, telling old fighting stories, and showing pieces of family history he kept around the house and above the fireplace.

Those left to mourn the passing of Harold include: his daughter, Michele Switzer, Dixon; three grandchildren, Chelsea Lane and her husband, Todd, of Richland; Dylan Donati, and his wife, Jocelyn, and Tucker Lawrence Brown all of Dixon; four great-grandchildren, Trey and Raelyn Lane, and Asher and Brycen Donati; and many other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until the time of Harold's funeral service at 1 p.m., all on Friday, August 9, 2024, in the Martin-Kloeppel Funeral Chapel, 205 West Third Street, Dixon, with Bro. Dennis Nichols, Victory Hill Baptist Church officiating.

Interment with full military honors will be in the West Fairview Cemetery near Dixon under the direction of the Martin-Kloeppel Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

Memorials are suggested by the family to the Dixon Future Farmers of America in memory of Lawrence Harold Switzer with envelopes available at the funeral home or may be sent C/O Martin-Kloeppel Funeral Home at P.O. Box GG, Dixon, MO  65459.

Online condolences may be sent to www.martinkloeppelfuneralhome.com