Wayne Calaway Lawrence

Long-time Cleveland resident and merchant, Wayne Calaway Lawrence, passed from this life on Saturday, April 11, 2015 at the age of 95 years, 3 months and 23 days in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Wayne was born December 19, 1919, in Egypt, Arkansas, the son of Robert Elijah and Majisara Ann (Gilmore) Lawrence. At a very young age, he moved with his family to Perkins, Oklahoma. During his time in Perkins, he began his education and later graduated from Perkins High School and was offered a scholarship to Oklahoma A&M College in Stillwater, Oklahoma, based upon his abilities as a football player. Sadly, he had to turn the offer down due to the fact he and his family did not have the means to pay for the daily needs of college life. During his senior year in high school, Wayne worked at a local cafe named “Lets Eat Cafe”, as a dishwasher. Times were hard during the depression and his pay for a days work was a free meal; which was usually his only meal for the day.

Following graduation, Wayne moved to Cleveland, Oklahoma where he gained employment at the Central Food Market working for E.E. Wiles. During his time working there he met his future wife, Klorene Wiles. The couple was united in marriage on September 22, 1940 and soon thereafter gained employment with Consolidated Aircraft in San Diego, California. He was later drafted into the service of his country during the onset of World War II. He reported to duty in January of 1943 at Fort Sill, Oklahoma with the Army Air Corps. Following basic instruction, Wayne was initially assigned to the 11th Air Service Group and later to the 488th Engine Battalion. During his time in the military, he worked part of the time as a sheet metal worker on the B-24 Bomber. Following the conclusion of World War II, Wayne was honorably discharged in 1946.

After returning to Cleveland, he regained employment with E.E. Wiles at Central Food Market. In 1951, Wayne purchased the grocery store from his father in law and operated his grocery business in Cleveland until 1972. During the mid-1960's, Wayne built a larger facility where Ace Hardware is now located and operated it as Wayne's Cardinal Foods. Following the sale of his Cardinal Food Store, Wayne began working for Osage Oil & Transportation. Wayne was hired to oversee the the planned expansion, acquisitions and operations of convenience stores in connection with their chain of gas stations. Those expansion plans were later scrapped but Wayne continued working for Mr. Carnes as the District Supervisor of the Pipeline Division. Still being intrigued with the business potential of convenience stores, he later left Osage Oil and moved to Joplin, Missouri where opened three locations. Following the death of his wife, Klorene, on October 26, 1989, Wayne remained in Joplin. On February 1, 1991, Wayne was united in marriage to Geraldine Ness. The two made their initial home in Joplin, Missouri and later moved to Tulsa. He continued to live in the area after her death in 2005.

On January 7, 2012, Wayne was again united in marriage to Myrtis Elizabeth (Hammons) in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma where they have resided.

Wayne has been a long time member of the First Christian Church and Kiwanis Club. He felt some of his greatest accomplishments were owning his own grocery store, teaching Sunday School Class, serving as an elder in the church, and raising a physically handicapped son. Wayne always enjoyed watching and going to football games, however, he always knew his greatest responsibility as a firm believer in Christ was in teaching and telling others about his Lord and Savior, a task which gave him much pleasure and satisfaction.

Survivors are his wife, Myrtis, of the home; three children, Tanya and Leroy Wilkerson of Broken Arrow, Janet and Scott Cool of Tulsa, Wayne Clint and Celia Lawrence of Jennings, Oklahoma; step son, Charlie and Angela Polston of Broken Arrow; six grandchildren, Jana Hagberg, Lori Shenold, Traci Ward, Eric Cool, Don Woody Lawrence, Daniel Lawrence; step grandchildren, Beth Polston, Hannah Polston; six great grandchildren, Adam Keeley, Austin Culp, Sarah Ward, Holden Cool, Austin Lawrence, Trystan Lawrence; and a host of other relatives and friends that will mourn his passing. In addition to his Wayne's parents he was preceded in death by two wives, Klorene Ruth Lawrence, Geraldine Lawrence; one son, Donald Lawrence; two brothers, Robert and Jerome Lawrence; two sisters, Bama Hutchison, Genoma Dillard; and a grandson, David Cool .

Funeral services will be held 11:00 am Thursday, April 16, 2015 at the First Christian Church with Pastor Nick Garland officiating. Burial will follow in the Woodland Cemetery with military honors provided by VFW Fifth District Rifle Team. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Chapman-Black Funeral Home.