Rev. Boyce Clay Lawson

Boyce Clay Lawson was born in Ft. Worth, Texas on September 16, 1951, to Emily and Herbert Lawson. Boyce grew up with an older brother, Royce, in Arlington, Texas graduating from Arlington High School in 1969. He was an avid football and baseball player, member of the Boy Scouts, and played drums in a boy band during high school. He loved the outdoors, camping, fishing and boating. He was recruited as a catcher for the Kansas City Royals farm club after high school but was drafted to serve in the military during the Viet Nam War before he was able to go to Kansas City. He chose to enlist in the U.S. Navy and served from 1971 - 1974. He served on the U.S.S. Dubuque during his two tours of duty to Viet Nam.

After his discharge from the U.S. Navy, Boyce entered a medical lab technician program at El Centro Junior College and worked at Children's Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. While working there he met his wife, Barbara. They married after a short courtship and have celebrated 49 years together. They had four children: Aaron, Michelle, Kristi and Brittany.

Boyce's life impacted people in a variety of ways. He made friends easily making himself available to help anyone with a need. He was witty, sarcastic, and loved to tease. If he teased or picked on you, you knew he liked you. He was a faithful and loving husband, a devoted father who taught his children faith, love, independence, to be hard-working, and to strive to be the best version of themselves. He used his artistic and mechanical talents to create gifts of love with stained glass for family and friends. The love for his grandchildren was unwavering. He was an active participant in their care and activities, teaching them to be passionate about learning and having fun.

Following the death of his father-in-law in 1983, Boyce felt called to serve the Lord as a minister. He attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary completing a degree in theology. He pastored Eastside Baptist Church, Akron, Ohio for two years where he impacted the lives of many by growing the church and bringing revival to the community. He was a bi-vocational pastor and was eventually transferred to Oklahoma City by his primary employer. He served as a chaplain for the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief program, Red Cross and Integris Baptist Medical Center over a period of many years. He had a love for the people of Kenya and became a sponsor to a Kenyan minister, Alfred Saekwo. He made two mission trips to Kenya to develop ministries in orphanages and ordain twelve local pastors in the Nairobi area. His greatest desire was to bring people into a loving and personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Emily and Herbert Lawson. He is survived by his wife, Barbara, children Aaron Lawson of Edmond, Michelle (Eric) Scott of Guthrie, Kristi (Noel) Leal of Edmond, and Brittany Lawson of Edmond. He was the proud Papa of Kaedyn and Landon Scott and Alyssa, Ava and Aidan Hautz. Boyce also leaves behind his brother, Royce and niece Terri (Patrick) Howell and great nephews, Alex and Grant Coney as well as a brother-in-law, Thomas (Melanie) Tucker and great nieces and nephews, John Alexander, Blaise, Madelon, Elizabeth and Henry Tucker.

He will be deeply missed by his family and friends and all those who had the privilege of having their life enriched by him. He is at peace and at home with his Lord and Savior.

Visitation will be from 12:00 - 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 2nd at Memorial Park Funeral Home. Graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m, on Monday, March 3rd at Memorial Park Cemetery.