May 3, 1936 – November 18, 2024
KITTY HAWK — Our dad, Richard S. Lawrenson, Jr. of Kitty Hawk, was peacefully transferred into the presence of his God and Savior on Monday, November 18, 2024. He moved to the Outer Banks from Durant, OK, recently after the death of his wife of almost 70 years so he could finish out his days surrounded by family.
Born in Washington, DC on May 3, 1936, he entered the Marine Corps Reserve at age 17 in 1953 and went on active duty in 1958. Rising to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant, he served at Camp Lejeune NC, Okinawa, Viet Nam, Ft. Belvoir, VA, and Tustin, CA. In 1972, Dad ended his career in the Marines to follow his calling from God to full-time ministry. After finishing his education at Washington Bible College and Thomas Road Bible Institute, he began pastoring churches in Virginia, Maui, and Oklahoma. After retirement from pastoring, his volunteer ministries included chaplaincy at the jail in Hugo, OK, filling pulpits, and teaching Bible studies in Hugo and Durant. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Durant.
Dad married his high school sweetheart, Dale Kline at age 18, and they would have celebrated their 70th anniversary on November 5. Together they raised six children, including a son they adopted while in Maui. Altogether they claimed to have lived in 34 different homes over those 70 years! When Mom died in August of this year, Dad happily accepted the invitation to come back to North Carolina. He was known for his kind, humble demeanor, his passion for prayer, and for his love for family, Christ and the Corps.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard S. Lawrenson, Sr. and Garnet Lawrenson Brown, his wife, Dale Kline Lawrenson, his siblings Joan and Larry Lawrenson, and a grandson, Benjamin Lawrenson. Surviving him are his children, Rick and Gail Lawrenson of Kitty Hawk, Donna Lawrenson of Manteo, Mark and Ladonna Lawrenson of Durant, OK, Scott and Julie Lawrenson of Forest, VA, Andy and Misha Lawrenson of Lynchburg, VA and Neal Lawrenson of Maui, HI. Also, his grandchildren, Amy Kidd of Madison Hts., VA, Cheryl Kidd of Smithfield, NC, Rebecca Kidd of Dunn, NC, Nathan Lawrenson of Kill Devil Hills, Sarah Moore of Nags Head, Rachel Sanchez of Colington, Bree Lawrenson of Orlando, FL, Carly Coady of Nashville, TN, Luke Lawrenson of Bali, Naomi Culley of Kitty Hawk, and Ty, Eli and Ava Lawrenson of Lynchburg, VA. In addition, he leaves a legacy of fifteen great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
Thanks are extended from the family to the wonderful care given our dad by Amedisys Hospice and by the partners of Nags Head Church.
A celebration of life will be held Thursday, November 21, 2024, at 2:00 pm at Nags Head Church on Soundside Road. The family will receive friends at the church beginning at 1:00 pm. Interment with military honors will follow at Manteo Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, 715 W. Louisiana St., Durant, OK 74701.
Twiford Funeral Homes, Outer Banks is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.TwifordFH.com.
