In Memory of Frank Lawrence

Frank Lawrence, 86, of Wilburton, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at OSU Medical Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Viewing will be held on Monday, January 4, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at

Waldrop Funeral Home.

A graveside funeral service will be held on Tuesday, January 5, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. at Highbridge Cemetery in Wilburton, Oklahoma with Rev. Clint Cannon and Rev. Tony Randol officiating. The service will be transmitted on Fm 89.3 so you can safely remain in your vehicle. Services are under the direction of Waldrop Funeral Home.

Pallbearers: Cale Back, William Back, Ron Pini, Joe Pete Skimbo, Tommy Joe Brown, Darrell Bell, Stoney Bullard, Johnny Sivic, and Jim Grego.

Honorary Pallbearers: Jeremy Conyers, Charlie Warren, Darrel Mize, Gary Francis, Steve Carson, Seth Heitner, Jeff Davis, Bob Nace, Alfred Ezekiel, John McCabe and the Men of Grace Country Cowboy Church.

On November 10, 1934, in a house southeast of Wilburton, Ok, Frank was born to Jim and Jennie (Reed) Lawrence. He was born a “blue” baby and the family doctor advised his mother to not dress him in fear he would not make it through the night. His father prayed that if God would let him live, he would never spank him and so he never did, but his mama didn’t make the same deal.

He and his siblings would walk or ride a horse the mile and a half to school and back. After completing the 8th grade, he then finished his schooling at Panola where he graduated with the class of 1953. Upon high school graduation, he worked to put himself through college while attending Eastern A&M, where he also participated in the R.O.T.C program. He then attended Southeastern Oklahoma State University and received his degree in teaching. After college completion, he was hired to teach in a one room schoolhouse in the Higgins community. There he taught students from first to eighth grade. After the school closed, he began his long teaching career at Wilburton Public Schools, where he taught for 28 more years. During those years, he went on to obtain his Master’s Degree in Education. Mr. Lawrence loved to teach and it showed. Many former students approached him or his family to let him know that he was their favorite teacher and the one who helped them to be a success in life. He truly cared about his students and often talked about various ones. He was honored to be inducted into the Wilburton Teacher Hall of Fame in 2016.

He was able to take early retirement in 1986. That gave him more time to devote to his family and cattle, which he still had over 90 head. Frank was a man of integrity, a man of his word, and he lived up to his name’s sake by simply being “frank” about things. He accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior when he was 18 years old and shared God’s love to many people. He had a desire to serve his Lord in whatever way he could. He was a founding member and elder of Grace Country Cowboy Church in Wilburton.

Family was always an important part of his life. He married Judy Bullard on May 28, 1975 and was proud to tell people he and Judy never had a real fuss in their 45 years of marriage. Where you saw one, you saw the other. A year after marriage they had a son named Jason and later a daughter named Jennifer. He loved spending as much time as possible making memories with his kids, grandkids, nieces, and nephews. He was the best Poppy to his six grandchildren who are Breanna, Allison, Michael, Sarah, Brookelyn, and Ransom. He also became a special Poppy to Jun, Linda, and Martin.

He is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Judy of the home; his son, Jason Lawrence and wife Julie of Wilburton; his daughter, Jennifer Cannon and husband Clint of Wilburton; grandchildren: Breanna, Allison, Michael, & Sarah Lawrence and Brookelyn & Ransom Cannon; sisters: Audrey Skimbo and JoAnn Back and husband Frank; brother-in-law, Stoney Bullard and wife Mary; sister-in-law, Rhonda Bell and husband Darrell and countless other family members and friends.

Frank is preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Jennie Lawrence, brothers and sisters: Thomas Sherman, Robert Lee, Alice Glen, Jimmie “Allene”, infant sister, Thelma Louise, and Harold Wayne.