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Allan Lawrence
1930 - 2017
Allan Lawrence
1930 - 2017
Obituary
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BORN
1930
DIED
2017
Allan Lawrence Obituary
1930-2017
On Monday morning, May 15, 2017, Allan Cleave Lawrence, 86, better known as "Coach Al", lost his courageous battle to pancreatic cancer at home peacefully, surrounded by family.
A viewing will be 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Thursday, May 18, 2017 at Joseph J. Earthman Generations, 234 Westcott, in Houston, Texas.
A Celebration of Coach Al's life will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, May 19, 2017 at the A.D. Bruce Religion Center Chapel, at the University of Houston.
Burial will follow at Glenwood Cemetery.
Please consider a donation to The University of Houston Cougars Cross Country and Track & Field program or to the MD Anderson Cancer Research Center.
To leave a message or tribute for the family, please visit josephjearthman.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
The 1956 Olympics 5000m heat which Al won.
Connie Lawrence
February 21, 2020
Coach Al's last race he could attend. The Bellaire Trolley Run. April 2017
Connie Lawrence
February 21, 2020
My favorite running photo of the AL Lawrence Running Club
Connie Lawrence
February 21, 2020
Coach Al at his office, Memorial Park Oval quarter mile track.
Connie Lawrence
February 21, 2020
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George Lyon
May 15, 2019
Al's sayings: "Come here, you're going to get into trouble, where have you been?" You've got to modify mate." "Humidity is the silent killer." "Sticky beak, tend to your own knitting." "Go on, get into it." "How did it go mate?" "Good on you." "Are you going to go fill your gut with us?"
September 19, 2017
Heartfelt condolences are extended to your family at this difficult time. Seek the love and support God provides to help you cope during this time - Psalms 29:11
George Lyon
May 25, 2017
My guide to lead me to run as fast and far as possible. Friend. 'Living life well' adviser. Encourager. Groomsman in my wedding. Most significant non-family person in my life so far. It was a wonderful 20 plus years of comradeship and many temporarily uncomfortable work-outs. Was praying for Al after our last visit and breakfast.
Horace Grant
May 22, 2017
There were two great coaches in my early running career that had an influence on my training. Coach Herman Goldberg was one and Coach Al Lawrence was the other. I've known coach Al since I was 12 years old. I am now 64 and I still run and compete. I will always remember Coach Al's ability to remember historical stats on individual runners and his willingness to encourage and instill a work ethic for training with very few words. What a great honor to have know him.
Patrick Wageman
May 21, 2017
I just found out about Allan's death. I got to know him at Memorial Park, although I used to see him back in the eighties when he trained people at the Lamar track. He read my book, and I read his biography, so we had a kind of bond in that respect. I suppose it was about three months ago that I went to the park to say hello, I usually doing my workouts early in the morning. That was when I found out about having some of his pancreas removed. Rest in peace, mate.
Allan at a family gathering, in Sydney for the 2000 Olympics. On the left his Uncle Alan.
Gary Lawrence
May 18, 2017
I am writing on behalf of the hundreds of relatives of Allan living in Australia, his country of birth. Many of us met Allan and his family on their occasional visits, often coinciding with major sporting events, such as the Olympics held in Sydney in 2000. He is remembered with affection and pride by his family here.
Allan was the son of George and Grandson of Thomas Henry Lawrence (also my Grandfather). Thomas had seven children and five of those were prolific so there are a multitude of Lawrence's, Jarvis's and Eastman's filling the three generations after Allan's. His Uncle Lex Smith, in his nineties and last of his generation, will the one who remembers young Al from his teenage years.
We are sad to hear of Allan's death and sorrowful for those who loved and will miss him. However, we are also so thankful that Allan found a home, a family, friends and a career, all of which he loved, in the USA. Talking to Allan we were always aware that, while he enjoyed his trips back down under, home was in Houston ,USA.
Gary Lawrence (son of Allan's Uncle Alan Lawrence).
E. Johnson
May 17, 2017
My sincere condolences to the Lawrence family. During this most difficult time may the words at 1Peter 5:6,7 comfort all of you.
May 17, 2017
Coach Al, I miss you. I love you so very much. Thank you for all you did for me. You changed my life for the best. I remember us talking when I needed help. You were always there for me. Not just as my running coach but a mentor. My heart is truly broken. Mari McCain
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234 Westcott St., Houston, TX 77007
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