Kulpmont - Lawrence W. Morata, 78, passed away Monday, August 7, 2017 at Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital.

Born in Shamokin on October 27, 1938, he was the son of the late Lawrence and Helen (Doviak) Morata. He was a graduate of Roosevelt High School in Kulpmont and was a coal miner and self-employed truck driver.

On June 18, 1966 in St. Joseph's Church, Mount Carmel he married the former Dorothy "Dot" Croker, who survives.

Larry was a member of the Church of the Holy Angels, formerly a member of St. Casimir's Church, Mt. Carmel Knights of Columbus, Marion Heights Fire Company, American Legion, Fairview Gun Club, Lycoming Creek Anglers Club, Elysburg Rod & Gun Club and a proud member of the NRA.

He served with the US Army attaining the rank of Sgt. and served during the Cuban Crisis.

He enjoyed hunting and fishing and just being outdoors and was a NASCAR fan. He attended all his daughter's and granddaughter's sporting events, he loved holiday family get togethers and dinners especially his favorite Spanish meal "Miga" and blueberry pies. And he,"LOVED HIS TRUCK"!!

In addition to his wife Dorothy "Dot", he is survived by three daughters, Michele Shulski and her husband Dave of Irish Valley; Tammy Leach and her husband Todd of Wilburton and Denise Purcell and her husband Tim of Coal Township; two granddaughters, Alexia Wheary and Caitlin Shulski; a sister, Patty Kuhn of Muncy and a brother-in-law, John Croker of Wilburton as well as several nieces and nephews and numerous cousins. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his mother-in-law and father-in-law, John and Anna Croker, a brother-in-law, Nick Kuhn and a sister-in-law, Dolores Croker.

FUNERAL NOTICE

Lawrence W. Morata, 78, of Kulpmont - Funeral Mass will be held Friday, August 11, 2017 at 11:00 am in the Church of the Holy Angels, 855 Scott Street, Kulpmont with Father Andrew Stahmer, officiating.  Viewing will be held Thursday evening from 6:00 - 8:00 with a prayer service at 7:00 and Friday morning from 9:00 - 10:45 with transferal prayers at 10:15 in the C.J. Lucas Funeral Home, Inc., 1053 Chestnut Street, Kulpmont, C.J. Lucas, Supervisor.  Burial will be held at the convenience of the family in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Mt. Carmel Twp.  In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School, 2001 Clinton Avenue, Coal Township, PA 17866, Church of the Holy Angels, 855 Scott Street, Kulpmont, PA 17834 or Black Lung, 1 Tech Park Drive, Suite 250, Johnstown, PA 15901-1267. To send condolences to the family please visit www.cjlucasfuneralhome.com