Donald E. Lorrier, 69, born September 22, 1936 in Huntington, New York, died at his home in Lexington, Virginia on Sunday, September 17th.

A resident of Florida until 1989, he was the owner of U-Rent-It (an equipment rental operation) in St. Petersburg, Florida. He and his wife, Lynne, then moved to Lexington, Virginia and reopened "The General Store" (an historic old fashioned general mercantile store built in 1889) in Buena Vista, VA.

Always an entrepreneur, Lorrier was most notably recognized as a successful business owner and proudest of the fact his grandfather taught him to catch and sell baitfish for a penny a piece back when he was only 6 years old. This became the start of a lifelong career in business. Over his lifetime he had many business endeavors from paperboy, mower repair, hydraulic repair, trailer manufacturing, the equipment rental business, investment real estate and "The General Store" in Buena Vista, VA.

Lorrier served in the US Coast and Geodetic Survey, now known a NOAA. He was a very active member of the American Rental Association: Regional director for the Southeastern US; National Board member of ARA; and active in bringing new ideas to the rental equipment business at state and national levels.

As a life long antique and special interest car enthusiast who restored and constructed cars often from parts, he preferred to do all phases of construction himself. Locally, he was one of the founders of Rockbridge Antique Auto Club.

He was a member of the Demolay, Jaycees, Sertoma and Rotary clubs. Other hobbies included sailing, hunting, camping, and antique collecting. For more than 30 years, Lorrier was an active member of the PINMAR antique car club of Pinellas County, FL and a contributor to Heritage Village Historical Park in that county, especially the locating, moving and establishment of an early General Store and auto garage as one of the centerpieces of the park.

He is survived by his wife, the former Lynne Barrett of Lexington; three children: Robert M. Hamric, Jr. of Palm Harbor, FL; Katherine H. Lawless of Tampa, FL; and Allyson H. Littleton of Indianapolis, IN; 6 grandchildren; and a sister, Evelyn Wegman of Swansboro, NC.

The memorial service will be conducted 11 A.M. Saturday, September 23, 2006 at R.E. Lee Memorial Episcopal Church by The Rev. Dr. David Cox. The family will receive visitors following the service in the parish hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contribution may be made to Rockbridge Area Hospice, or St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. JudeÕs Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1942.

Arrangements by Lomax Funeral Home, Buena Vista, VA (540-261-6585).