Raymond “Keith” Lawrence

Raymond Keith Lawrence

Coach. Teacher. Husband. Father. Grandfather. Raymond Keith Lawrence (who went by Keith), age 86, of Belleville, Illinois, died on Tuesday, July 16, 2024.

He was born in Kansas CIty, Missouri, on November 20, 1937, to James Herbert Lawrence (who went by Herb) and Winifred Grace (Noakes) Lawrence (who went by Winnie), joining his older brothers, Dean and Jim, to make a family of five. Throughout his childhood, the family moved multiple times-around Kansas City, Missouri to Columbia, Missouri to Lake City, just east of Independence, Missouri.

For much of his childhood, Keith grew up farming with his family and spending time in nature. He learned the value of hard work and the benefits of proper schooling.

A good student, Keith attended high school-first at Buckner High School in Buckner, Missouri, for his freshman through junior years (1951-1954) followed by the newly built Fort Osage High School in Independence, Missouri, his senior year (1954-1955) in the first class to attend and graduate form the new school. Keith excelled in high school, showing signs of future leadership and athletic talent. He was elected to the student council for three years, serving as class president for one year. He was Staff Photographer for the yearbook and Editor-in-Chief of the school newspaper his senior year, work for which he was recognized by the state of Missouri. He took part in school plays. And he sang in the school’s vocal groups as part of the boys quartet chorus, the mixed chorus, and as a male soloist fronting a jazz band, winning awards at tri-state singing competitions. But most notably, it was the athletic arena where he shone. He lettered four years in track, three years in basketball, and four years in football, where he was selected for the first annual Senior Bowl in Missouri. At the end of his senior year, Keith was awarded the honor of Most Outstanding Athlete of the school.

Upon graduating high school in 1955, Keith received a scholarship to Central Missouri State in Warrensburg, Missouri, where he played football and studied education, graduating in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science and Education Degree.

While in college, he met Beverly Jean Hayes. The two sweethearts were married in early 1959. Late that year, they welcomed their first child, Stephen Christopher Lawrence.

After graduation, the family moved to Appleton City, Missouri, in 1960, as Keith was starting his new job at Appleton City High School, where for three years, he served as the Physical Education teacher, Head Football Coach, and Assistant Basketball Coach. In July of 1962, their second son, Jeffrey Keith Lawrence was born.

In the summer of 1963, he returned to Central Missouri State where he graduated with his Masters Degree in Science and Education in 1964. While there, he worked as a Graduate Assistant and served as Assistant Football Coach, and Head Tennis Coach through 1965.

In 1966, Keith was recruited by Head Football Coach, Fred Cameron, of East St. Louis High School to join his coaching staff and implement the defensive scheme he ran at Central Missouri State. The family moved to Belleville, Illinois, and for the next six years, Keith coached football as well as baseball at East Side. In the summer of 1967, Scott Patrick Lawrence was born.

In 1972, Keith found his long-time home, taking a position coaching and teaching at Belleville Township High School-West in Belleville, Illinois. In the winter of 1973, the family welcomed their fourth and final son to the group, Terry James Lawrence.

During Keith’s 21-year tenure at BTHS-West, he served as an Assistant Football Coach, Assistant Athletic Director, and Department Chairman (Health and Physical Education). Working under Head Coach, Bruce Arnold, the football team won several Conference Championships and were State Qualifiers on numerous occasions. Years later, Keith was inducted into the St. Louis Metro Football Coaches Association (SLMFCA) Hall of Fame, Class of 2021. Over the course of his entire career, he coached and mentored thousands of student athletes, impacting their lives and teaching them lessons they could carry forward.

After his retirement in 1993, Keith filled his time pursuing his various interests. He was a highly-skilled woodworker, spending hours in his shop crafting furniture. He worked in the yard, tending to his flowers and enjoying the birds. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals and St. Louis Blues fan. And together, Keith and Bev spent much of their leisure time traveling throughout the country. Among their favorite vacation sites were Alaska, Utah, Minnesota, and the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. They also enjoyed the times they spent with their two grandchildren, Natalie and Kurt.

Keith will always be remembered for his character and his values-for his decency and the wisdom he passed on to others. Sharp-witted at times, stoic at others, Keith was consistent throughout his life and dependable beyond reproach.

Keith was preceded in death by his:

• Mother, Winifred Lawrence
• Father, Herb Lawrence
• Brothers, Dean and Jim, and their wives

He is survived by his:

• Wife of 65 years, Bev Lawrence
• Sons:
  • Stephen Lawrence (Galadriel Mattei) of Los Angeles, California
  • Jeffrey Lawrence of Belleville, Illinois
  • Scott Lawrence (Christa) of Mundelein, Illinois
  • Terry Lawrence of Chicago, Illinois
• Two grandchildren:
  • Natalie Lawrence
  • Kurt Lawrence
• Brothers-in-law:
  • Gordon Hayes (Peggy) of Kansas City, Missouri
  • Jim Hayes (Venoice) of Kansas City, Missouri
• Numerous nieces and nephews

Visitation: Visitation will be held from 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm, Saturday, July 27, 2024 at Kurrus Funeral Home in Belleville, Illinois.

Funeral: Funeral Services will be held at 4:00 pm, Saturday, July 27, 2024 at Kurrus Funeral Home.

A video live-stream of the service will be available HERE starting at 4:00pm, Saturday, July 27, 2024

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, donations in Keith’s name to Belleville West Memorial and Scholarship Fund or Hospice of Southern Illinois would be greatly appreciated. Donations will be received and distributed by Kurrus Funeral Home.