Dr. Larry Wright Lawrence

Dr. Larry Wright Lawrence went to his heavenly home on Friday, March 31, 2023 at his home in Bonham.  Dr. Lawrence was born in Macon, Texas on September 7, 1938, to Hollie and Gladys Lawrence.  Living in the country, he enjoyed fishing, hunting and working around the family farm. 

 Dr. Lawrence went to school in Mt. Vernon, playing football with one of his friends, Don Meredith.  He then attended Paris Jr. College where he played baseball and ran track.  He then continued his education at The University of Texas in Austin and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology.  After teaching and coaching school for several years, he went to Baylor College of Dentistry.  Dr. Lawrence practiced dentistry in Bonham for over 25 years.

When raising his children in Bonham, he enjoyed coaching Little League baseball and playing tennis and golf with his friends and sons.    Many of the kids that Larry coached knew him as Mr. Doc and his close friends lovingly called him Doc. Larry was an avid quail hunter and loved taking his friends, family, and kids hunting.  He had a passion for wildlife, such as quail, deer, and turkey.  He loved all animals, but especially his birddogs. 

He was a passionate and bold Christian.  He loved reading, studying, and sharing scripture and the Gospel of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He believed strongly in the power of prayer and prayed for all of his family, friends, and everyone in need of prayer. He would stand strongly for whom and what he believed in.  He was determined and quitting was not in his vocabulary.  If you needed someone to go to battle for you, he was the man for the job.  He loved listening to Christian music.  When growing up, he enjoyed the family and neighbors getting together to play and sing Gospel hymns.  His mother, Gladys and sister, Ann would play the piano while his father, Hollie would lead the singing and play the guitar.  Later, he had a strong love for the music in the church, particularly when Nancy’s mother, Bobbie would sing and lead the music.  Studying scripture, sharing the Gospel, praying, helping with missionary work, and praising his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ was the foundation of his life. 

Larry was a people person.  He loved people and made you feel special.  He did not care whether you were rich or poor or the color of your skin.  He just loved the person, their character, and heart. He was especially drawn to someone with a competitive spirit.  He loved competing with his friends, whether it be golf, tennis, baseball, quail hunting, or just about anything.  He also loved seeing his friends, children, kids he coached, and grandchildren succeed.  This brought him tremendous joy.  He loved his grandchildren. He spent a lot of time thinking about Kaleigh and Ally.  It was very important to him for them to succeed in their academics and education.  Most importantly to him was that his grandchildren know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.  Justin was his first grandchild, whom he loved dearly.  Chloe and Blaine came along later.  He loved watching and hearing about their sporting events, academics, and musical activities.

Larry married the love of his life Nancy on May 31, 1997, in Paris, Texas.  He was a member of Living Word Church of God in Bonham.  He is survived by wife Nancy of Bonham, sons, Brit Lawrence and wife Mollie of Celina, Texas, Brian Lawrence of Paris, Texas, and Ryan Dority of Durant, Oklahoma, six grandchildren, Justin Lawrence and fiancé Angel Dobbs, Kayleigh Dority, Ally Dority, Chloe Lawrence, and Blaine Lawrence, sister Ann Lawrence of North Richland Hills, Texas, brother Thomas Lawrence of Hopewell, Texas and mother-in-law, Bobbie Northam of Paris, Texas. 

 Larry spent his retirement years enjoying time with his family, especially his grandchildren, playing golf with Nancy, traveling, hunting and camping.

          A Celebration of Life will be held at Wise Funeral Home Chapel in Bonham, Texas on Monday, April 3, 2023 at 11:00 AM and the family will receive friends at 10:00 AM prior to the service.  Graveside services will be at 2:00 PM, following a family luncheon at the Evergreen Cemetery in Paris, Texas.  Bishop Doug Holt and Bishop Eddie Prince will officiate.  Dr. Lawrence will lie in state at Wise Funeral Home on Sunday, April 2, 2023, from 9:00 AM until 8:00 PM

Pallbearers will be Michael Flippo, Mike Wiggins, Mark Fannin, Kevin Dennis, Kevin Towery, and Melvin Dunlap. Honorary pallbearers will be Woody Cochran, Joe Thompson, Lonnie Ashlock and Tom Turner.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice, and you may sign the online guest register at www.wisefuneralhome.com