James Richard Lawrence (Rich), 78, of Commerce, Texas, passed away on Saturday, June 14, 2025. Rich was born May 4, 1947, to Ray and Mary Lawrence. He grew up in Buffalo, Wyoming, and graduated from Johnson County High School in 1965, where he played in all athletics and won the Don Twing, Dick Cash award as outstanding athlete.
A rosary will take place on Saturday, June 21, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Commerce. A funeral service will immediately follow beginning at 10:00 a.m. Arrangements are pending for service and burial in Buffalo, WY.
Rich graduated twice from Upper Iowa University with both a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts Degree. He captained the football team, participated in track and graduated Magnum Cum Laude. He received his Master of Science degree from Northwestern Missouri State University. Rich coached football and track for 38 years at both the high school and collegiate levels. He coached in Iowa, Nebraska, Oklahoma Panhandle State University, University of Wyoming, University of Wisconsin-Stout, and retired after 18 years as Offensive Coordinator and Track coach from East Texas A&M, Commerce. Rich was named District 2A Coach of the Year in Iowa and Region II Coach of the Year at Panhandle State University where he and his teams were inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015. He coached numerous All-American athletes in both football and track along with spending 18 years as head coach of the Jay Novacek Football Camps held in North Texas. He and his wife were inducted into the East Texas A&M, Commerce Hall of Honor in 2018.
Rich was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church where he and his wife, Joan, were chairman of the fund drive to build the new church and Rich was chairman of the finance committee. He also was a member of the Sand Hills Country Club, where he served on the board, Texas High School Coaches Association and American Football Coaches Association where he served on numerous boards and was honored as a member of the 35 Year Club in 2014. He was an Eagle Scout and Knights of Columbus where he served as treasurer.
He is survived by his wonderful supporting wife of 58 years, Joan, formerly Joan Washut, son Michael of San Antoino, TX, daughter Jamie of Menomonie, WI, and son Matthew (Penny) of Prior Lake, MN. Rich is also survived by six grandchildren; Alyssa (Dallas, TX), Kaley (College Station, TX), Anna (Shelbyville, TN), Elizabeth (Menomonie, WI), Antonio (Menomonie, WI), Jacob (Prior Lake, MN); brother Dennis (Sharon) of Buffalo, WY; sisters Grace Moriarty (Bill) of Bull Head, AZ, Margaret Paul (JP) of Rapid City, SD, and brother-in-law Butch Pierson of Sheridan, WY. He is survived by many nieces and nephews and cousins.
Rich is proceeded in death by his father Ray Lawrence, his mother Mary Lawrence and sister Cecilia Pierson.
Rich loved teaching, coaching, playing golf, reading and doing daily crossword puzzles. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Rich’s name to Oklahoma Panhandle State University Football Scholarship or St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Commerce, TX
