Thomas Adair Lawrence

DR. THOMAS ADAIR LAWRENCE WEAVERVILLE - Dr. Thomas Adair Lawrence peacefully passed to be with his Lord and Savior Thursday, June 25, 2015 at 12:05 p.m., at his lovely mountain home in Weaverville, North Carolina, just ever so shy of his 90th great year on this Earth. Upon his ascension to the higher calling, Tom was a proud member of the First Baptist Church of Weaverville congregation. Tom, also affectionately known as "Moose", was a consummate husband, father, teacher, educator, administrator, minister and general all-around one of a kind gentleman, humanitarian, philosopher, scholar and humorist. While he will be incredibly missed, his bodily suffering was mercifully and quietly remedied by the grace of the Almighty. His life was both varied and bountiful. The following is a greatly reduced but representative snapshot of the salient aspects of his life: 1. Survivors: Jan: Devoutly Devoted Wife of 32 years and beloved pets Benji and Buffy; Children: Mike (wife: Kathie), Julia (partner: Martha), Kim (wife: Annchen), Jon (wife: Amanda), MaryAnn (husband: Erik), and Roland (wife: April); Grandchildren: Samantha, Matthew (wife: Lindsey), Wesley (wife: Meredith), Susanna (husband: Shane); Haley, Tristan, Zane, Liam, and Lorelei, Jennifer (husband: David); Great Grandchildren: Nickolas, Maddox, Stella and Sheridan; Nephew and Niece: Clark and Lana; Beloved Cousin: Herbert Woodson; and multiple relatives of Betty Day Lawrence's family (first wife). 2. Birth: August 21, 1925, Avoca, Texas. 3. Biographic Highlights: Educated and worked on parents' farm in Avoca, Texas. Bravely and proudly served in U.S. Navy from 1944-1945, on Minesweeper USS Oracle AM103. Worked with mother in oil field sample business. Received BS degree from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. Married Betty Ray Day, who preceded him in death. Received Ordination from Southwest Baptist Theological Seminary in 1952. Received PhD from University of Texas in 1963. Professor at Hardin-Simmons University 5+ years. Pastor of various adoring and grateful Baptist Church congregations in California, Kansas and Texas. Educator for 57+ years, including serving as Executive Director of Region XIV Education Service Center for 22+ years. Recipient: Jud Prentiss Award for Outstanding US Regional Education Directors. Presiding minister to dozens of known and unknown lucky recipients of marriage vows, including all of his children and most of his grandchildren. Sage and appreciated presiding minister for many funerals, memorials and revivals. Post-Retirement Educational Consultant for various Texas schools and educational agencies. Honored Guest Speaker: Weaverville, NC Fourth of July ceremonies. Life-Long dispenser of abundant kindness, witticisms, wisdom and gentle advice to all those who asked or were lucky enough to know him. His memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, June 28, 2015, in the Chapel of West Funeral Home, 17 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville, with Reverend Jim McCoy officiating. Burial will be in Elmwood Memorial Park, Abilene, TX. For those who desire, condolences may be offered to the family under Dr. Lawrence's obituary at www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com. His memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, June 28, 2015, in the Chapel of West Funeral Home, 17 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville, with Reverend Jim McCoy officiating. Burial will be in Elmwood Memorial Park, Abilene, TX. For those who desire, condolences may be offered to the family under Dr. Lawrence’s obituary at www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com.