LAWRENCE RAY GREGORY - 81 of Tulsa, OK went to sleep Thursday afternoon Sep. 28th, 2023, and is waiting for the awakening resurrection call of his Saviour, when He comes to this earth soon. He endured to the end and his eternal destiny is secure in the hands of our heavenly Father and Jesus.

Lawrence was born in Beggs, OK on Nov. 22nd, 1941 to his parents Vera Mae Dawson Gregory and John Emory Gregory. He had a twin sister, Florence Gregory Welker, sister Helen Vickers, and brother Vernon Gregory who have preceded him in death. He is survived by sisters Betty Slaton and Patricia Herd who will miss him greatly.

Losing his father at the age of 3, he spent his childhood in Bristow and would tell stories of picking cotton alongside his mother working long days to help support the family.

He graduated High School in Bristow in 1959 and soon began to learn about Herbert W. Armstrong and the WorldWide Church of God. This would change his path in life forever.

In 1966 he met and married Janice Kay Ernsbarger-Gawith while attending church. The two were married 57 years and his loving and devoted wife Janice was by his side when he took his final breaths.

Lawrence devoted his life to the word of God and cherished the years he was able to share the word with fellow believers. He was baptized into the Church of God in 1960, ordained in 1978 and pastored the Tulsa Church of God from 1978 until retiring his pastorship in July of 2014.

He worked in sales most all his life. He began in car sales in Wichita, KS and eventually found his way to working with families at Rosehill Cemetery in Tulsa where he stayed for 23 years. He finally retired from Moore Funeral Home (Rosewood Chapel) in Tulsa in 2009.

His favorite hobby and pastime was reading as much as possible. Especially Biblical books of all types. He'd read the many books he had more than twice. He would always say "You can never read about life and history enough." His love of Biblical history led him to donate a substantial number of books to the Tulsa Church Library where others could also share in his love for God and the Bible. He also had a love of westerns and music from Merle Haggard, Marty Robbins and Mario Lanza which would always fill the room.

Lawrence's surviving children are Richard Gawith and wife Sherry of Broken Arrow, Michael Gawith of Springfield, MO, Debra Keaton of Tulsa, Jon Gregory and wife Melissa of Broken Arrow, and Arlen Gregory of Tulsa.

Lawrence had 2 children who preceded him in death, Karl Gawith of Noel, MO in 2023 and daughter Karen Gregory of Tulsa in 2001.

He has numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, a host of nieces and nephews as well as other extended family and a lifetime of friends, colleagues, and brethren who await their heavenly reunion with him.

Viewing will be held from 12-8PM on Monday, October 2nd at Moore Southlawn Chapel. Graveside Services will be held on Tuesday, October 3rd at Magnolia Memorial Gardens in Bristow, OK.

Memorial Service will be held at Tulsa Church of God, 14509 E Marshall St, Tulsa, OK, on Sunday, October 22nd at 1PM

Moore Southlawn Funeral Home 918-663-2233
9350 E 51st St.
Tulsa, OK 74145