Funeral service for CSM (Retired) Samuel B. Lawrence will be 12:30 p.m., Monday, November 25, 2019 at the Becker-Rabon Funeral Home Chapel with Chaplain (CPT) Richard Melvin, Fort Sill, Oklahoma officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow in Fort Sill National Cemetery, Elgin, Oklahoma.  The family will greet friends from 2-4 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

CSM (Retired) Samuel B. Lawrence, 84, Lawton, Oklahoma passed away Monday, November 18, 2019 at his home in Lawton. He was born May 18, 1935 in Liberty, Missouri to Hubbard and Emma (Brady) Lawrence. He was raised in Liberty, Missouri and graduated from high school there. Samuel married Katherine I. “Kitty” Bridges on November 17, 1960 in Liberty and the couple celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary the day before he passed away. Samuel made a career of being in the United States Army and was very proud of his service to his country. While in the Army Sergeant Major Lawrence earned the following awards, the National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Valorous Unit Award, Vietnam Service Medal with Two Service Stars, Meritorious Service Medal-2, Two Overseas Service Bars, Good Conduct Medal-7, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm, Army Commendation Medal-2, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon-3, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon-5, Sharpshooter (rifle M-16), and the Meritorious Service Medal-3.

Following his military retirement Samuel worked for the United States Postal Service for several years and was proud of his service there as well. He and his wife Kitty inspected bowling lanes together and were both avid bowlers. Samuel enjoyed NASCAR, dirt track racing, going to the casinos, traveling, and following the Kansas City Chiefs. Samuel’s passion was classic cars and he owned a 1957 and a 2003 Ford Thunderbird. He was also a member of several car clubs including, the Sooner Car Club, Little Birds of Lawton, and the International Thunderbird Association. Samuel was a family man and will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Samuel is survived by his wife Kitty of the home, three sons, Mark Lawrence and wife Jennifer of Phoenix, Arizona, Steve Lawrence and wife Melody of Tonapah, Nevada, Alan “Scott” Lawrence and husband Joe Gaston of Dallas, Texas, one daughter, Susan Sass and husband James of Lawton, special daughter, Marta French and husband Brad of Lawton, seven grandchildren, Mark A. Lawrence, Robert Olson and wife Jennifer, Dalton Sass, Cole Sass, and Josephine Sass, Taylor Hatten, and Haley Skiles, five great grandchildren, three great great grandchildren and other nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Samuel was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Hubbard Asbury Lawrence and his wife Evelyn.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Stephenson’s Cancer Center at the University of Oklahoma Medical Center, OU Foundation, PO Box 258856, Oklahoma City, OK 73125-8856 or by going to www.giving.oufoundation.org. Charitable contributions may also be made to the charity of your choice.