Doug Lawrence

Doug Lawrence, 92, passed away peacefully December 11th, 2018 surrounded by family in the loving environment at Care Haven Homes where he was attended every so kindly by their wonderful staff and the caring staff of Ascend Hospice. Our family will be eternally grateful. He was born in East Orange, New Jersey. He parents moved to KS during the great depression, a time he often referred to as one of hardship for his family. He attended Shawnee Mission HS and played on two state basketball championship team.

He was drafted into the Army and served as a proud member of the 395th Infantry Regiment, 99th Infantry Division. His unit served during the Battle of the Bulge, (Elsenborn Ridge) Remagen Bridge, and Rhineland Campaigns. He later volunteered to stay in Europe after the war as Military Police soldier.

Upon his release from active military service, he attended the University of New Mexico, playing college basketball and earning his BA degree. When he was asked how he ended up in New Mexico, he responded that he was looking for warmer weather after the war. Doug had a strong interest in music and was gifted with a wonderful baritone voice. While working on other advanced degrees he found time to sing for the Kansas City Opera company, Pittsburg Summer Opera and a soloist at Unity Temple and Worrall Road Baptist Church. He met his wife Mary Alice, while they were both attending the Kansas City Conservatory of Music. He obtained his masters degree from the University of Missouri Kansas City and a specialist in education from the University of Central Missouri.

For a time he worked for the Great Lakes Pipeline company and then found his passion for teaching. Doug taught and coached at Hickory Grove School in Mission, Kansas in 1954. He then came to Ruskin JR HS in 1955. He was also the basketball coach at that time. Doug became a teacher at Ruskin HS in 1958 and Vice Principal of Ruskin in 1961 through 1968. Later he was 10th grade principal at Smith-Hale JR HS. He was appointed Principal of the New Hickman Mills HS (HMHS) in 1971. He was, in so many ways, the founding father of HMHS. He worked tirelessly during its construction, assisting in the design, hiring teachers and staff, then working with students and faculty to establish a positive new school spirit and culture from the very start. His proudest moment was when the school was opened for the first time.

Doug was also gifted with a rare talent, his expansive memory. He loved people, particularly young people and he never forgot a face or a student. If Doug met you once, he would remember you forever. He was a kind and generous man with a passion for history. He considered all students and faculty as his friends and equals. It can truly be said that Doug never met a stranger, everyone he met was now his friend. Doug’s favorite quote was from Will Rogers who said, “I never met a man I didn’t like”.

Doug retired from the Hickman Mills School district in 1988. His retirement was short lived when he returned to become Principal of St. Bernadette School from 1989 to 1993. He also worked part time for the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. He was a devoted husband and father and was keenly interested in history, world affairs and sports.

Doug is survived by his wife of over 65 years, Mary Alice; his children, Kevin, Keith (Anne) and Brian; five grandchildren, Danielle, Melany (Matthew), Andrew, Sean, Nichole (Andrew); great grandchildren, Layla, Alivia and Joshua. He is preceded in death by daughter-in-law Debbie, his mother and father Bertha and James, brother James and mother-in-law Anna Ward.

Visitation will take place Sunday, December 16th 6 to 8pm at Floral Hills Funeral Home, 700 Blue Ridge Blvd, Kansas City Mo 64133. Funeral mass Monday, December 17th, 11am at St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 9020 E 51st Terrace, Kansas City Mo 64133. In lieu of flowers donations to 99th Infantry Division Historical Society.