June 25, 1927 to October 24, 2023

They gathered around him, each gently caressing his still-strong hand in theirs. Every intricate fine line of his fragile skin reveals a moment in time; a memory created. They stroked his weathered face and kissed the hollow bridge of his nose. Some moments brought laughter, others tears. Yet, even in the midst of sorrow, the overwhelming joy and peace that permeated the room abounded. And with his last breath, a precious man began eternity with his Jesus on October 24, 2023.

Born to Lawrence and Pearl Nunnink on June 25, 1927, Lawrence Gregory Nunnink Greg, from the very beginning, was a mischievous, yet reverent boy of integrity and honor, who became a man whose life would leave an indelible mark on countless others by the depth of his love and the strength of his faith.

Greg grew up in Hawthorne, California, attending Leuzinger high school. After graduating, he enlisted with the Merchant Marines in May of 1945. Among his adventures as a Merchant Marine, Greg often shared stories of a time when the carrier on which he was based transported necessary supplies to his fellow Americans fighting for our freedoms overseas. A capsized carrier that left Greg and his comrades stranded on a deserted island was just the beginning of a fruitful, adventure-filled life.

In April 1947 Greg married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Jean Prenovost at the St. Josephs church in Hawthorne, California. Greg built Dorothy a beautiful home where together they began raising their first ten children, moving to Nevada City in 1963, where Dorothy gave birth to their two youngest boys.

Always with a servant heart, Greg worked as a carpenter and builder for most of his life. His love for carpentry was founded on the skills his father taught him when Greg was a young boy. His work ethic was impenetrable; his eagerness to provide for his family, infallible.

After Dorothy left his side to be with Jesus in 1988, Greg would spend the next 35 years much of the way he occupied his early life… loving others and bringing joy to all who encountered him. Ten years following Dorothy’s death, Greg married his and Dorothy’s life-long friend, Jeannie Everhart. Together, Greg and Jeannie shared six years before she, too, went to be with the Lord. Jeannie’s children and grandchildren became a natural part of Greg’s extended family and he loved them.

In 2022 Greg received the Congressional Gold Medal for his service in the Merchant Marines during WW2. The award represented more than his heroics, rather, it represented the culmination of a courageous and principled life.

Until his last days, Greg would spend countless hours in his workshop designing and building creations from wood and turning those creations into masterpieces of which his twelve children would be the beneficiaries. While always draped in humility, Greg’s pride was evident each Christmas when he would hand-craft countless batches of Christmas fudge to proudly distribute to his multitude of family and friends.

Greg was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Mary Patricia. Affectionately known as Pa to his grandchildren and others, Greg is survived by his 12 children, including Steve (Charisse) Nunnink, Sandy (George) Hansen, Larry (Jo) Nunnink, Patti (Gary) Tintle, Randy (Kristi) Nunnink, Tim (Michelle) Nunnink, Mary Kay (Rick) Beam, Tom (Lisa) Nunnink, Barbie (Tom) German, Bob (Jan) Nunnink, David Nunnink, Brian (Liz) Nunnink, 32 grandchildren, 63 great-grandchildren, 21 great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Greg was a dedicated faithful husband, father and grandfather, who taught his children to be good and honorable people of integrity. Showering their children with love, together, Pa and Ma, through the life they lead, demonstrated to their children and all who had the honor of knowing them the meaning of a life well spent through unfaltering loyalty to one another, dedication to family and commitment to sharing their faith with the world.

Greg was a gentleman to the end and, until we see him again, will be dearly, dearly missed.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Sierra Presbyterian Church in the Spring of 2024.