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Dr. Kenneth Moss Laycock

1926 - 2017

Dr.  Kenneth Moss Laycock obituary, 1926-2017, Dallas, TX

FUNERAL HOME

Brooks Funeral Directors - Canyon

1702 5th Avenue

Canyon, Texas

Kenneth Laycock Obituary

Dr. Kenneth Moss Laycock, long-time Texas educator, died on September 13, 2017 after a battle with cancer. Visitation will be at Brooks Funeral Home in Canyon, Texas, on Friday, September 22 from 4:30 to 6:00. On Saturday, September 23 at 11:00 a.m., a service of committal will be conducted at the Shamrock Cemetery. A memorial reception will be held on Sunday, October 1 from 3:00 to 5:00 at the Edgemere Retirement Community in Dallas.

Most of Dr. Laycock's life was spent in the Texas Panhandle, an area he loved. He was born in Collingsworth County, Texas, to Wayne Mason Laycock and Lillie Edith Moss Laycock on October 1, 1926. Following graduation from Samnorwood High School at age 16, he was accepted into the Army Specialized Training Reserve. Called to active duty, Laycock was assigned to the Headquarters Battery of the 25th Division Artillery in the Philippines, where he achieved the rank of First Sergeant at the age of 19. After the cessation of hostilities, he was among the first American troops in the occupation of Japan. While there, he served as a monitor of the first post-war democratic election in that country.

After discharge from the army, Laycock completed his bachelor's and master's degrees at West Texas State University, now West Texas A&M University. He was president of the Student Association, received the faculty award for outstanding senior male, and graduated with honors. After spending ten years in the Shamrock Public Schools as a teacher, high school principal, and superintendent, Laycock received his doctorate from The University of Texas at Austin. Laycock served as superintendent of schools in Levelland, Texas from 1962-65. From there, he joined the staff at West Texas State University and served as professor, dean, and vice-president from 1965-74. In 1967, Laycock and the late Dr. Emmitt Smith organized the Panhandle Educational Services Organization, a comprehensive educational services delivery organization for the schools of the Panhandle and South Plains of Texas. This organization became the prototype for the creation and implementation of twenty educational service centers, which continue today as a strong support system to schools in Texas. Laycock served as Executive Director of Region 16 Education Service Center in Amarillo from 1975 until his retirement in 1990. After retirement, he continued to serve as a strategic planning and management systems consultant to public schools, colleges, and universities. In 1995, Laycock received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from West Texas A&M University.

Active in professional and civic organizations, Laycock was a board member of the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce, Amarillo-Canyon United Way, and the Canyon Chamber of Commerce. He also chaired the Panhandle Regional Health Council. After retirement, Laycock became president of the Texas Retired Teachers Association, which had a membership of eighty thousand. He was the founding president of the Texas Retired Teachers Foundation, and during his tenure chaired the financing and construction of an office building for the Association and Foundation next to the capitol building in Austin. Subsequently, he was awarded the E. L. Galyean Service Award, honoring dedicated and committed leadership that significantly improved the lives of retired and active educators. Laycock served on the Executive Committee of the Texas Association of School Administrators, the American Association of Education Service Agencies, and was a member of Rotary International for over 50 years, serving as club president in three clubs. He was a Paul Harris Fellow Society member in Rotary.

Laycock was a long-time member of the United Methodist Church and served in many capacities including lay leader, Sunday School teacher, chairman of the administrative board, and chairman of the board of trustees. He chaired the building program which replaced all church buildings of the First United Methodist Church of Canyon and was a delegate to United Methodist Annual Conferences. At the time of his death, Laycock was a member of University Park United Methodist Church in Dallas.

Laycock was a resident of the Edgemere Retirement Community in Dallas for 13 years. He served four terms as president of the Resident Association, chaired the Renaissance Building and Renovation Project Advisory Committee, and was affectionately known as "Mayor." He was residing at the Edgemere Retirement Community at the time of his death.

Laycock married Janet Caperton Laycock in 1952 and she preceded him in death in 2013 after sixty-one years of marriage. He is survived by his son, Keith Laycock, of Dallas, his daughter Laura and son-in-law Carl Noe, of Dallas, and grandchildren: Mason Laycock, Paige Cline and her husband, Matt Cline, Laura Laycock, Lillie Noe, and Robert Noe. In addition, he is survived by one brother, Dr. Royce Laycock and wife Norma, of Dallas, Maudie Laycock, sister-in-law, of Amarillo, TX, and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by four brothers and one sister: Huelyn Laycock (Maudie) of Canyon, Texas, Guyron Laycock of Shamrock, Texas, Mary Laycock Thompson (Col.Nash) of San Antonio, Texas, Dr. Raymond Laycock (Mildred), of Pampa, Texas, and Robert Laycock (Helen) of Marble Falls, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Shamrock Cemetery Association, the American Cancer Society, The First United Methodist Church of Canyon, Texas, The First United Methodist Church of Shamrock, Texas, The Edgemere Retirement Community Foundation in Dallas, Texas, or to a charity of your choice.

Laycock looked upon success as defined by Ralph Waldo Emerson: "To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a little better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is the meaning of success."

Published by Amarillo Globe-News from Sep. 21 to Sep. 22, 2017.
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Memories and Condolences
for Kenneth Laycock

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3 Entries

Caroline Shelton- Jones

September 26, 2017

I was a student when Dr. Laycock was at Shamrock. A find man indeed. To come close to his achievements would be difficult. Many have been inspired by you.
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Don Isaacs

September 21, 2017

I grew up with Kenneth in school with Samnorwood school. A great man and will be missed. Prayers for the family in the days and weeks to come.

Clifford Martindale

September 21, 2017

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Memorial Events
for Kenneth Laycock

Sep

22

Viewing

4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Brooks Funeral Directors - Canyon

1702 5th Avenue, Canyon, TX 79015

Sep

23

Committal

11:00 a.m.

Shamrock Texas Cemetery

TX

Oct

1

Memorial Gathering

3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Edgemere Retirement Community

Dallas, TX

Funeral services provided by:

Brooks Funeral Directors - Canyon

1702 5th Avenue, Canyon, TX 79015

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