J. Lawrence House, fund-raiser

Posted 8/28/13

J. Lawrence House, 63, of Plymouth Meeting, a fund-raiser for the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, in Mt. Airy, died Aug. 13 of a heart ailment at Walt Disney World resort in Orlando, …

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J. Lawrence House, fund-raiser

Posted

J. Lawrence House, 63, of Plymouth Meeting, a fund-raiser for the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, in Mt. Airy, died Aug. 13 of a heart ailment at Walt Disney World resort in Orlando, Fla., where he was vacationing with his wife, Karen.

Mr. House had served as a fund-raiser at the seminary from 1991 to 2000 and again from 2009 to the time of his death, when he was the senior philanthropic adviser for major gifts. During the bulk of his time at the seminary, annual giving rose tenfold.

From 2006 to 2009, he played a similar role as vice president of development for Liberty Lutheran Services, a Southeastern Pennsylvania social ministry.

Mr. House began his career as as a social worker with Lutheran Welfare services in Hazleton, rising to development director. He joined the development staff at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg before moving to the Philadelphia office of LTSP in 1991.

Born and raised in Wilkes-Barre, he was a graduate of Coughlin High School and earned a bachelor's degree in sociology and psychology from Kings College and a master's degree in counseling education from the University of Scranton.

In addition to his wife of 40 years, he is survived by a son, Erik; daughters Katie Burton and the Rev. Stina Schaeffer; a brother, and three grandchildren.

He was an active member of the Upper Dublin Lutheran Church in Ambler, where funeral services were held Aug. 22. Memorial donations may be made to the Larry House Fund for Stewardship Education, 4 E. Valley Creek Rd., Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462. – WF

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